Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20172018
OR 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                     to                     
Commission File Number: 001-37429
 
 
 
EXPEDIA GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 20-2705720
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
333 108th Avenue NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
(425) 679-7200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes  ☒       No  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer   Accelerated filer 
    
Non-accelerated filer ☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Smaller reporting company 
    Emerging growth company 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes  ☐    No  ☒
The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of October 13, 201712, 2018 was:
 Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share 139,695,003136,174,433
shares
 Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value per share 12,799,999
shares
 

Expedia Group, Inc.
Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 20172018
Contents
 
   
Part I 
   
Item 1 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Item 2
   
Item 3
   
Item 4
   
Part II 
   
Item 1
   
Item 1A
   
Item 2
   
Item 6


Part I. Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
EXPEDIA GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands,millions, except forshare and per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Three months ended
September 30,
 Nine months ended
September 30,
Three months ended
September 30,
 Nine months ended
September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
              
Revenue$2,965,848
 $2,580,905
 $7,740,636
 $6,680,735
$3,276
 $2,966
 $8,664
 $7,741
Costs and expenses:              
Cost of revenue (1)
458,559
 416,907
 1,319,253
 1,225,857
504
 459
 1,489
 1,320
Selling and marketing (1)
1,460,707
 1,204,521
 4,174,174
 3,398,862
1,501
 1,461
 4,558
 4,174
Technology and content (1)
350,061
 301,446
 1,014,631
 910,921
404
 350
 1,200
 1,015
General and administrative (1)
141,298
 165,829
 478,403
 504,395
202
 141
 597
 478
Amortization of intangible assets71,011
 74,939
 203,966
 249,119
71
 71
 215
 204
Impairment of intangible assets
 2,141
 
 2,141
Impairment of goodwill
 
 61
 
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other(1,499) 22,332
 22,956
 28,650
(78) (1) (74) 23
Restructuring and related reorganization charges (1)
3,983
 6,638
 15,590
 46,274

 4
 
 16
Operating income481,728
 386,152
 511,663
 314,516
672
 481
 618
 511
Other income (expense):              
Interest income9,329
 5,827
 24,850
 14,349
34
 9
 61
 25
Interest expense(44,001) (43,374) (129,639) (130,273)(47) (44) (149) (130)
Other, net(31,625) (9,050) (66,016) (37,118)(47) (31) (101) (65)
Total other expense, net(66,297) (46,597) (170,805) (153,042)(60) (66) (189) (170)
Income before income taxes415,431
 339,555
 340,858
 161,474
612
 415
 429
 341
Provision for income taxes(66,078) (60,627) (22,374) 14,929
(81) (66) (56) (22)
Net income349,353
 278,928
 318,484
 176,403
531
 349
 373
 319
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests2,885
 403
 4,321
 25,988
Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc.$352,238
 $279,331
 $322,805
 $202,391
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests(6) 3
 16
 4
Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.$525
 $352
 $389
 $323
              
Earnings per share attributable to Expedia, Inc. available to common stockholders:       
Earnings per share attributable to Expedia Group, Inc. available to common stockholders:       
Basic$2.32
 $1.86
 $2.13
 $1.35
$3.51
 $2.32
 $2.59
 $2.13
Diluted2.23
 1.81
 2.06
 1.31
3.43
 2.23
 2.54
 2.06
Shares used in computing earnings per share:       
Shares used in computing earnings per share (000's):       
Basic152,088
 150,239
 151,406
 150,281
149,482
 152,088
 150,450
 151,406
Diluted157,760
 154,236
 156,520
 154,332
153,153
 157,760
 153,404
 156,520
              
Dividends declared per common share$0.30
 $0.26
 $0.86
 $0.74
$0.32
 $0.30
 $0.92
 $0.86
_______
(1) Includes stock-based compensation as follows:              
Cost of revenue$2,289
 $3,476
 $7,855
 $8,768
$3
 $2
 $8
 $8
Selling and marketing9,543
 4,876
 30,637
 37,372
11
 10
 34
 31
Technology and content13,944
 11,556
 41,581
 50,997
15
 14
 46
 42
General and administrative(19,497) 27,308
 23,519
 87,775
25
 (19) 66
 23
Restructuring and related reorganization charges
 1,047
 
 12,690
See accompanying notes.

EXPEDIA GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands)millions)
(Unaudited)
 
Three months ended
September 30,
 Nine months ended
September 30,
Three months ended
September 30,
 Nine months ended
September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
Net income$349,353
 $278,928
 $318,484
 $176,403
$531
 $349
 $373
 $319
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax              
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax(1)
56,495
 (4,964) 180,623
 (14,269)(14) 57
 (63) 181
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities, net of tax(2)
20,656
 (153) 20,653
 347
Unrealized gains on available for sale securities, net of tax(2)

 21
 
 21
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax77,151
 (5,117) 201,276
 (13,922)(14) 78
 (63) 202
Comprehensive income426,504
 273,811
 519,760
 162,481
517
 427
 310
 521
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests9,899
 2,026
 40,529
 (17,692)3
 10
 (29) 41
Comprehensive income attributable to Expedia, Inc.$416,605
 $271,785
 $479,231
 $180,173
Comprehensive income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.$514
 $417
 $339
 $480
 
(1)
Currency translation adjustments include a tax benefitexpense of $9$1 million and $31$6 million associated with net investment hedges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and a tax benefit of $2$9 million and $7$31 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.2017.
(2)Net of tax charges of $14 million for both of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. Net gains (losses) recognized and reclassified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were immaterial.

See accompanying notes.

EXPEDIA GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except number of shares which are reflected in thousands except per share data)and par value)
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
(Unaudited)  (Unaudited)  
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$3,239,886
 $1,796,811
$2,920
 $2,847
Restricted cash and cash equivalents46,936
 18,733
186
 69
Short-term investments540,581
 72,313
458
 468
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $34,973 and $25,2781,835,286
 1,343,247
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $35 and $312,294
 1,866
Income taxes receivable35,265
 19,402
36
 21
Prepaid expenses and other current assets285,848
 199,745
278
 269
Total current assets5,983,802
 3,450,251
6,172
 5,540
Property and equipment, net1,521,609
 1,394,904
1,769
 1,575
Long-term investments and other assets888,847
 520,058
717
 845
Deferred income taxes37,204
 23,658
225
 18
Intangible assets, net2,377,597
 2,446,652
2,101
 2,309
Goodwill8,226,173
 7,942,023
8,157
 8,229
TOTAL ASSETS$19,035,232
 $15,777,546
$19,141
 $18,516
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable, merchant$1,780,341
 $1,509,313
$1,877
 $1,838
Accounts payable, other824,917
 577,012
875
 698
Deferred merchant bookings3,643,600
 2,617,791
4,795
 3,219
Deferred revenue315,181
 282,517
346
 326
Income taxes payable27,252
 49,739
175
 33
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities1,181,265
 1,090,826
695
 1,265
Current maturities of long-term debt500,000
 

 500
Total current liabilities8,272,556
 6,127,198
8,763
 7,879
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities3,735,736
 3,159,336
3,727
 3,749
Deferred income taxes393,353
 484,970
250
 329
Other long-term liabilities395,808
 312,939
455
 408
Redeemable non-controlling interests22,469
 
19
 22
Commitments and contingencies
 

 
Stockholders’ equity:      
Common stock $.0001 par value23
 22

 
Authorized shares: 1,600,000      
Shares issued: 227,668 and 224,310   
Shares outstanding: 139,452 and 137,232   
Shares issued: 231,039 and 228,467   
Shares outstanding: 136,420 and 138,939   
Class B common stock $.0001 par value1
 1

 
Authorized shares: 400,000      
Shares issued and outstanding: 12,800 and 12,800      
Additional paid-in capital9,070,498
 8,794,298
9,476
 9,163
Treasury stock - Common stock, at cost(4,664,705) (4,510,655)(5,439) (4,822)
Shares: 88,216 and 87,077   
Shares: 94,619 and 89,528
 
Retained earnings321,576
 129,034
551
 331
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(123,973) (280,399)(202) (149)
Total Expedia, Inc. stockholders’ equity4,603,420
 4,132,301
Total Expedia Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity4,386
 4,523
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests1,611,890
 1,560,802
1,541
 1,606
Total stockholders’ equity6,215,310
 5,693,103
5,927
 6,129
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY$19,035,232
 $15,777,546
$19,141
 $18,516
See accompanying notes.

EXPEDIA GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)millions)
(Unaudited)
Nine months ended
September 30,
Nine months ended
September 30,
2017 20162018 2017
Operating activities:      
Net income$318,484
 $176,403
$373
 $319
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development448,744
 344,833
507
 449
Amortization of stock-based compensation103,592
 197,602
154
 104
Amortization of intangible assets203,966
 249,119
215
 204
Impairment of intangible assets
 2,141
Impairment of goodwill61
 
Deferred income taxes(89,277) (66,050)(281) (89)
Foreign exchange (gain) loss on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, net(81,694) (16,508)
Realized (gain) loss on foreign currency forwards(831) 34,515
Foreign exchange (gain) loss on cash, restricted cash and short-term investments, net94
 (82)
Realized gain on foreign currency forwards(34) (1)
Loss on minority equity investments, net100
 14
Other(9,294) (7,015)27
 (24)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:      
Accounts receivable(428,191) (297,258)(416) (428)
Prepaid expenses and other assets(108,292) (51,995)(12) (85)
Accounts payable, merchant259,225
 158,453
42
 259
Accounts payable, other, accrued expenses and other current liabilities298,198
 91,221
171
 298
Tax payable/receivable, net(29,051) (57,521)141
 (29)
Deferred merchant bookings1,017,524
 722,768
957
 1,018
Deferred revenue18,922
 62,970
21
 19
Net cash provided by operating activities1,922,025
 1,543,678
2,120
 1,946
Investing activities:      
Capital expenditures, including internal-use software and website development(525,596) (567,044)(634) (526)
Purchases of investments(1,713,195) (20,446)(1,714) (1,713)
Sales and maturities of investments920,880
 31,637
1,692
 921
Net settlement of foreign currency forwards831
 (34,515)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired(170,293) (777)
Acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired(40) (169)
Other, net7,195
 2,222
41
 8
Net cash used in investing activities(1,480,178) (588,923)(655) (1,479)
Financing activities:      
Payment of long-term debt(500) 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs992,470
 (1,792)
 992
Payment of HomeAway Convertible Notes
 (401,424)
Purchases of treasury stock(154,050) (366,723)(620) (154)
Proceeds from issuance of treasury stock31
 
Payment of dividends to stockholders(130,263) (111,009)(138) (130)
Proceeds from exercise of equity awards and employee stock purchase plan180,031
 103,760
138
 180
Changes in controlled subsidiaries, net(62) (4)
Other, net(27,676) (38,109)(3) (23)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities860,512
 (815,297)(1,154) 861
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents140,716
 28,718
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents1,443,075
 168,176
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period1,796,811
 1,676,299
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$3,239,886
 $1,844,475
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents(119) 142
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents192
 1,470
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period2,917
 1,818
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period$3,109
 $3,288
Supplemental cash flow information      
Cash paid for interest$162,395
 $152,008
$196
 $162
Income tax payments, net134,980
 103,901
188
 135
See accompanying notes.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 20172018
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Basis of Presentation
Description of Business
Expedia Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (formerly "Expedia, Inc.") provide travel products and services to leisure and corporate travelers in the United States and abroad as well as various media and advertising offerings to travel and non-travel advertisers. These travel products and services are offered through a diversified portfolio of brands including: Expedia.comBrand Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Hotwire.comExpediaTM® Partner Solutions, Egencia®, trivago®, HomeAway®, VRBO®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, ExpediaWotif® Affiliate Network,, lastminute.com.au®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Hotwire®, Classic Vacations®, CarRentals.comTM, Expedia Local Expert®, Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®, CarRentals.comSilverRail Technologies, Inc.TM, Wotif Group, OrbitzALICE®, CheapTickets®, ebookers®, SilverRail Technologies, Inc., Egencia®, trivago®, and HomeAwayTraveldoo®. In addition, many of these brands have related international points of sale, including those as part of AirAsia-Expedia.sale. We refer to Expedia Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries collectively as “Expedia Group,” the “Company,” “us,” “we” and “our” in these consolidated financial statements.
Basis of Presentation
These accompanying financial statements present our results of operations, financial position and cash flows on a consolidated basis. The unaudited consolidated financial statements include Expedia Group, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and entities we control, or in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary of expected cash profits or losses. We have eliminated significant intercompany transactions and accounts.
We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting. We have included all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim period. These adjustments consist of normal recurring items. Our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Upon closing of its initial public offering on December 16, 2016, trivago becameis a separately listed company on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and, therefore is subject to its own reporting and filing requirements, which could result in possible differences that are not expected to be material to Expedia Inc.Group.
Accounting Estimates
We use estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Our estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements. These estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amount of net income or loss during any period. Our actual financial results could differ significantly from these estimates. The significant estimates underlying our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements include revenue recognition; recoverability of current and long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill; income and transactional taxes, such as potential settlements related to occupancy and excise taxes; loss contingencies; deferred loyalty program liabilities;rewards; acquisition purchase price allocations; stock-based compensation and accounting for derivative instruments.
Reclassifications
We have reclassified certain amounts related to our prior period results to conform to our current period presentation.
Seasonality
We generally experience seasonal fluctuations in the demand for our travel products and services. For example, traditional leisure travel bookings are generally the highest in the first three quarters as travelers plan and book their spring, summer and winter holiday travel. The number of bookings typically decreases in the fourth quarter. Because revenue for most of our travel products,services, including merchant and agency hotel, is recognized whenas the travel takes place rather than when it is booked, revenue typically lags bookings by several weeks for our hotel business and can be several months or longer.more for our vacation rental business. Historically, HomeAway has seen seasonally stronger bookings in the first quarter of the year, with the relevant stays occurring during the peak summer travel months. The seasonal revenue impact is exacerbated with respect to income by the nature of our variable cost of revenue and direct sales and marketing costs, which we typically realize in closer alignment to booking volumes, and the more stable nature of our fixed costs. Furthermore, operating profits for our primary advertising business, trivago, have typically been experienced in the second half of the year, particularly the fourth quarter, as selling and marketing costs offset revenue in the first half of the year as we aggressively market during the busy booking period

6

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
 


marketing costs offset revenue in the first half of the year as we typically increase marketing during the busy booking period for spring, summer and winter holiday travel. As a result on a consolidated basis, revenue and income are typically the lowest in the first quarter and highest in the third quarter. The continued growth of our international operations, advertising business or a change in our product mix, including the assimilation and growth of HomeAway, may influence the typical trend of the seasonality in the future, and there may also be business or market driven dynamics that result in short-term impacts to revenue or profitability that differ from the typical seasonal trends. We expect that as HomeAway continues its shift to more of a transaction-based business model for vacation rental listings its seasonal trends, may be somewhat more pronounced than our other traditional leisure businesses.including trivago's recent changing marketplace dynamics.
Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
RecentRecently Adopted Accounting Policies Not Yet Adopted
Revenue from Contracts with Customers.In May 2014, As of January 1, 2018, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standard's Board ("FASB") issued an Accounting Standards UpdateUpdates ("ASU") amending revenue recognition guidance and requiring more detailed disclosuresusing the modified retrospective method for all contracts reflecting the aggregate effect of modifications prior to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB issued an ASU deferring the effective date of the revenue standard so it would be effectiveadoption. Results for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption prohibited before December 15, 2016. In addition, the FASB has also issued several amendments to the standard which clarify certain aspects of the guidance, including principal versus agent considerations and identifying performance obligations.
The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting periodJanuary 1, 2018 are presented (full retrospective), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective). We will adopt this new guidance in the first quarter of 2018 and apply the modified retrospective method.
We have determinedunder the new guidance, willwhile prior period amounts were not change our previous conclusions on net presentation. We have also determined thatadjusted and continue to be reported under the standard will impactaccounting standards in effect for those periods.
The new guidance impacted our loyalty program accounting as we willare no longer be permitted to use the incremental cost method when recording the financial impact of rewards earned in conjunction with our traveler loyalty programs. Instead, we will be required to re-value our liability using a relative fair value approach.approach and now record our loyalty liability as a component of deferred merchant bookings. Additionally, due to the new definition of variable consideration, we will beare required to estimate and record certain variable payments, primarily volume commissions, earlier than currentlypreviously recorded. Both modifications will resultresulted in cumulative-effect adjustments to opening retained earnings, with an insignificant change to revenue on a go-forward basis. The new guidance will likely also resultresults in insignificant changes in the timing and classification of certain other revenue streams.streams, including the reclassification of air distribution fees from net revenue to cost of revenue. For a comprehensive discussion of our updated revenue recognition policy, refer to the Significant Accounting Policies-Revenue Recognition disclosure below.
AsUpon adoption, we complete our overall assessment, we will identify and implement changes to our accounting policies and practices, business processes, and controls to supportrecognized a cumulative effect of applying the new revenue recognition standardguidance as a reduction to the opening balance of retained earnings of $11 million ($8 million net of tax) comprised ofchanges in the accounting for our loyalty program of $49 million ($38 million net of tax) as well as other immaterial adjustments of$2 million ($1 million net of tax), partially offset by the impact of estimating variable consideration of $40 million ($31 million net of tax). The impact of the new guidance to our consolidated financial statements was not meaningful as of September 30, 2018 and disclosure requirements.for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.
The cumulative effect of the revenue accounting changes made to our consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2018 were as follows:
 Balance at December 31, 2017 Adjustments Balance at January 1, 2018
 (in millions)
Current and long-term assets:     
   Accounts receivable, net$1,866
 $(40) $1,826
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets269
 (1) 268
   Long-term investments and other assets845
 (3) 842
Current and long-term liabilities:     
   Deferred merchant bookings3,219
 619
 3,838
   Accrued expenses and other current liabilities1,265
 (564) 701
   Deferred income taxes329
 (3) 326
Stockholders' equity:     
   Retained earnings331
 (8) 323
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Instruments. InAs of January 2016,1, 2018, we adopted the FASB issued new guidance related to accounting for equity investments and financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The new standard is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017.option. The most significant impact forto the Company isof this new guidance was with respect to the requirement that minority equity investments with readily determinable fair values, such as our investment in Despegar.com, Corp ("Despegar"), must be carried at fair value with changes in fair value recorded through net income. Today,Previously, such investment iswas designated as available for sale and iswas recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded through other comprehensive income. Upon adoption in the first quarter of 2018, we will record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the consolidated balance sheet as of the beginning of the annual period of adoption related to unrealized gains/losses, net of tax, previously classified within other comprehensive income and will begin recording fair value changes within other, net on our consolidated statements of operations. Fair value changes could vary significantly period to period.(loss). In addition, we intendelected to elect to measureprospectively account for minority equity investments that do not have awithout readily determinable fair valuevalues at cost, less impairment, adjusted bywith observable price changes as permitted by the new guidance with changes recorded within other, net on our consolidated statements of operations.
Definition of a Business. In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance clarifying the definition of a business for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The new standard is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted for transactions that occurred before the issuance date or effective date of the standard if the transactions were not reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance. The standard must be applied prospectively. Upon adoption, the standard will impact how we assess acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses.
Statement of Cash Flows. In August and November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the statement of cash flows which clarifies how companies present and classify certain cash receipts and cash payments as well as amends currentreflected

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through net income. Upon adoption, we reclassified $7 million related to the unrealized loss, net of tax, of Despegar from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) with a corresponding decrease to retained earnings. See Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements for further information on Despegar as well as our minority investments without readily determinable fair values.
Statement of Cash Flows. As of January 1, 2018, we adopted the new guidance related to the statement of cash flows, which clarified how companies present and classify certain cash receipts and cash payments as well as amended previous guidance to address the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is effective for annualUpon adoption, we retrospectively adjusted the prior periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. We plan to adopt this new guidance on January 1, 2018 retrospectively and currently anticipate the most significant impact will be to includepresented in our cash and cash-equivalent balances in the consolidated statement of cash flow those amounts that are deemedflows, which resulted in a slight working capital benefit in prepaid expenses and other assets within operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Refer to bethe Significant Accounting Policies-Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents section below for a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents.equivalents reported in our consolidated balance sheets to the total shown in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
Intra-entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. In October 2016,As of January 1, 2018, we adopted the FASB issued new guidance amending the accounting for income taxes associated with intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This accounting update, which is part of the FASB's simplification initiative, is intended to reduce diversity in practice and the complexity of tax accounting, particularly for those transfers involving intellectual property. This new guidance requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs.occurs rather than our historical practice to defer and amortize the tax consequences over a specified period of time. As a result of the adoption, we reduced retained earnings by approximately $26 million, reduced long-term investments and other assets by approximately $31 million and increased deferred tax assets by approximately $5 million related to the unrecognized income tax effects of asset transfers that occurred prior to adoption.
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance that allows an entity to elect to reclassify “stranded” tax effects in AOCI to retained earnings to address concerns related to accounting for certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("the Tax Act") enacted in December 2017. The new standardguidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annualreporting periods beginning after December 15, 20172018, with early adoption permitted.
We areelected to early adopt the new guidance during the first quarter of 2018, which resulted in the processreclassification of evaluating the income tax effect of the Tax Act from AOCI to retained earnings in order to reflect the tax effects of items within AOCI at the appropriate tax rate. As a result, we reclassified approximately $10 million as an increase in retained earnings and a reduction to AOCI as of January 1, 2018. Our policy is to release income tax effects from AOCI based on the tax effects of amounts reclassified from AOCI to pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations. Any remaining tax effect in AOCI is released following a portfolio approach.
Definition of a Business. As of January 1, 2018, we prospectively adopted the ASU clarifying the definition of a business for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Upon adoption, the standard impacts how we assess future acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses.
Non-employee Share-Based Payment Arrangements. In June 2018, the FASB issued new guidance related to accounting for share-based payments with non-employees. The updated guidance substantially aligns the accounting requirements of share-based payment awards to non-employees with those of employees. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.
We elected to early adopt the new guidance in the second quarter of 2018, which requires us to reflect any adjustments as of January 1, 2018, the beginning of the annual period that includes the interim period of adoption. The primary impact of adoptingadoption was the change in the measurement objective and the associated measurement date for all non-employee share-based payment awards to the grant-date fair value. Prior to adoption, non-employee awards were measured at the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever could be more reliably measured. Additionally, the measurement date was previously determined by the earlier of the date at which either (1) a commitment for performance by the non-employee to earn the equity instruments was reached or (2) the non-employee’s performance was complete. Typically, the measurement date was delayed until performance was complete, which led to the non-employee awards being remeasured or “marked to market” each reporting period until they were vested. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

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Recent Accounting Policies Not Yet Adopted
Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to accounting and reporting guidelines for leasing arrangements. The new guidance requires entities that lease assets to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet related to the rights and obligations created by those leases regardless of whether they are classified as finance or operating leases. Consistent with current guidance, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. The guidance also requires new disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. EarlyWe will adopt this guidance on January 1, 2019 and expect to elect certain available practical expedients under the transition guidance. Additionally, we plan to elect the optional transition method that allows for a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption is permitted and should be applied using a modified retrospective approach.do not plan to restate prior periods. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance, including implementing changes to our systems and processes in conjunction with our review of existing lease agreements. We currently expect the most significant impact of this new standard will be the recognition of the right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet upon adoption for real estate operating leases as well as the related financial statements.statement disclosures.
Hedge Accounting. In August 2017, the FASB amended the existing accounting guidance for hedge accounting. The amendments require expanded hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components and refine the measurement of hedge results to better reflect an entity's hedging strategies. The new guidance also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements andon a prospective basis as well as changes how entities assess hedge effectiveness. The new guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The new guidance must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to opening retained earnings as of the initial adoption date. We are in the processThe adoption of evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the measurement of credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost, which includes accounts receivable, and available-for-sale debt securities. The new guidance replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
Simplifying the Goodwill Impairment Test.Cloud Computing Arrangements. In January 2017,August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance simplifying subsequent goodwill measurement by eliminating Step 2 fromon the goodwill impairment test. Under thisaccounting for implementation costs incurred for a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The update an entity should perform its annual,conforms the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the accounting guidance that provides for capitalization of costs incurred to develop or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.obtain internal-use-software. The new standardguidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annualreporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The standard must be applied prospectively. Upon adoption, the standard will impact how we assess goodwill for impairment.permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value Measurements. In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance related to the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements, which removes, modifies or adds certain disclosures. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements disclosures.
Note 3 – AcquisitionsSignificant Accounting Policies
Below are the significant accounting policies updated during 2018 as a result of the recently adopted accounting policies noted above. For a comprehensive description of our accounting policies, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue upon transfer of control of our promised services in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those services.
For our primary transaction-based revenue sources, discussed below, we have determined net presentation (that is, the amount billed to a traveler less the amount paid to a supplier) is appropriate for the majority of our revenue transactions as the supplier is primarily responsible for providing the underlying travel services and Other Investments
Duringwe do not control the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we completed several business combinations, oneservice provided by the supplier to the traveler. We exclude all taxes assessed by a government authority, if any, from the measurement of which we made an initial investment in during 2015. The following summarizes the preliminary aggregate purchase price allocation for these acquisitions, in thousands:transaction

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prices that are imposed on our travel related services or collected by the Company from customers (which are therefore excluded from revenue).
The following table disaggregates our revenue by major source:
Goodwill $126,388
Intangibles with definite lives (1)
 75,894
Net assets and non-controlling interests acquired (2)
 11,887
Deferred tax liabilities (20,814)
     Total (3)
 $193,355
 Three months ended Nine months ended
 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2018
 (in millions)
Business Model:   
Merchant$1,688
 $4,554
Agency876
 2,311
Advertising and media302
 858
HomeAway410
 941
Total revenue$3,276
 $8,664
Service Type:   
Lodging$2,347
 $5,951
Air209
 674
Advertising and media302
 858
Other(1)
418
 1,181
Total revenue$3,276
 $8,664

(1)Acquired intangible assets with definite lives have a weighted average useful life of 3.8 years.
(2)Includes cash acquired of $5 million.
(3)The total purchase priceOther includes noncash consideration of $10 millioncar rental, insurance, destination services, cruise and fee revenue related to the removalour corporate travel business, among other revenue streams, none of a cost method investment upon our acquisition of a controlling interest as well as $8 million related to replacement stock awards attributable to pre-acquisition service, with the remainder paid in cash during the period.which are individually material.
We offer traditional travel services on a stand-alone and package basis generally either through the merchant or the agency business model.
Under the merchant model, we facilitate the booking of hotel rooms, airline seats, car rentals and destination services from our travel suppliers and we are the merchant of record for such bookings.
Under the agency model, we pass reservations booked by the traveler to the relevant travel supplier and the travel supplier serves as the merchant of record for such bookings. We receive commissions or ticketing fees from the travel supplier and/or traveler. For certain agency airline, hotel and car transactions, we also receive fees through global distribution systems (“GDS”) that provide the computer systems through which the travel supplier inventory is made available and through which reservations are booked.
Under the advertising model, we offer travel and non-travel advertisers access to a potential source of incremental traffic and transactions through our various media and advertising offerings on trivago and our transaction-based websites.
Our HomeAway business facilitates vacation rental bookings and provides listing and other ancillary services to property owners and managers.
The redeemable non-controlling interest in onenature of our acquisitionstravel booking service performance obligations vary based on the travel service with differences primarily related to the degree to which we provide post booking services to the traveler and the timing when rights and obligations are triggered in our underlying supplier agreements. We consider both the traveler and travel supplier as our customers.
Lodging. Our lodging revenue is redeemablecomprised of revenue recognized under the merchant, agency and HomeAway business models.
Merchant Hotel. We provide travelers access to book hotel room reservations through our contracts with lodging suppliers, which provide us with rates and availability information for rooms but for which we have no control over the rooms and do not bear inventory risk. Our travelers pay us for merchant hotel transactions prior to departing on their trip, generally when they book the reservation. We record the payment in deferred merchant bookings until the stayed night occurs, at which point we recognize the revenue, net of amounts paid to suppliers, as this is when our performance obligation is satisfied. In certain nonrefundable, nonchangeable transactions where we have no significant post booking services (primarily opaque hotel offerings), we record revenue when the traveler completes the transaction on our website, less a reserve for chargebacks and cancellations based on historical experience. Payments to suppliers are generally due within 30 days of check-in or stay. In certain instances when a supplier invoices us for less than the cost we accrued, we generally reduce our accrued supplier payable and the supplier costs within net revenue six months in arrears, net of an amountallowance, when we determine it is not

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probable that we will be required to pay the supplier, based on historical experience. Cancellation fees are collected and remitted to the supplier, if applicable.
Agency Hotel. We generally record agency revenue from the hotel when the stayed night occurs as we provide post booking services to the traveler and, thus consider the stay as when our performance obligation is satisfied. We record an allowance for cancellations on this revenue based on historical experience.
HomeAway. HomeAway’s lodging revenue is generally earned on a pay-per-booking or pay-per-subscription basis. Pay-per-booking arrangements are commission-based where rental property owners and managers bear the inventory risk, have latitude in setting the price and compensate HomeAway for facilitating bookings with travelers. Under pay-per booking arrangements, each booking is a separate contract as listings are typically cancelable at any time and the related revenue, net of amounts paid to property owners, is recognized at check in, which is the point in time when our service to the traveler is complete. In pay-per-subscription contracts, property owners or managers purchase in advance online advertising services related to the listing of their properties for rent over a fixed term (typically one year). As the performance obligation is the listing service and is provided to the property owner or manager over the life of the listing period, the pay-per-subscription revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the listing period. HomeAway also charges a traveler service fee at the time of booking. The service fee charged to travelers provides compensation for HomeAway’s services, including but not limited to the use of HomeAway's website and a “Book with Confidence Guarantee” providing travelers with comprehensive payment protection and 24/7 traveler support. The performance obligation is to facilitate the booking of a property and assist travelers up to their check in process and, as such, the traveler service fee revenue is recognized at check-in. Revenue from other than fair value requiring that eachancillary vacation rental services or products are recorded either upon delivery or when we provide the service.
Merchant and Agency Air. We record revenue on air transactions when the traveler books the transaction, as we do not provide significant post booking services to the traveler and payments due to and from air carriers are typically due at the time of ticketing. We record a reserve for chargebacks and cancellations at the time of the transaction based on historical experience. In certain transactions, the GDS collects commissions from our suppliers and passes these commissions to us, net of their fees. Therefore, we view payments through the GDS as commissions from suppliers and record these commissions in net revenue. Fees paid to the GDS as compensation for their role in processing transactions are recorded as cost of revenue.
Advertisingand MediaWe record revenue from click-through fees charged to our travel partners for leads sent to the travel partners’ websites. We record revenue from click-through fees after the traveler makes the click-through to the related travel partners’ websites. We record revenue for advertising placements ratably over the advertising period or upon delivery of advertising impressions, depending on the terms of the contract. Payments from advertisers are generally due within 30 days of invoicing.
Other.Other primarily includes transaction revenue for booking services related to products such as car, cruise and destination services under the agency business model. We generally record the related revenue when the travel occurs, as in most cases we adjustprovide post booking services and this is when our performance obligation is complete. Additionally, no rights or obligations are triggered in our supplier agreements until the non-controlling interest to redemption value through earnings.travel occurs. We record an allowance for cancellations on this revenue based on historical experience. In addition, another of our acquisitions made duringother also includes travel insurance products primarily under the period includes redeemable non-controlling interests,merchant model, for which are redeemablerevenue is recorded at fair value requiring that each period we adjust the changes in the fair value of the non-controlling interest through retained earnings (or additional paid-in capital if there is no retained earnings). Fair value determinations are based on various valuation techniques, including market comparables and discounted cash flow projections.
Of the goodwill recorded for the business combinations, $12 million is expected to be deductible for tax purposes with the remainder not expected to be deductible. The purchase price allocations were based on preliminary valuations of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and are subject to revision. The results of operations were immaterial fromtime the transaction close datesis booked.
Packages. Packages assembled by travelers through September 30, 2017. Pro forma results have not been presented as such pro forma financial information would not be materially different from historical results.
Other Investments. On July 27, 2017, we announced that Expediathe packaging functionality on our websites generally include a merchant hotel component and Traveloka Holding Limited ("Traveloka"), a Southeast Asian online travel company, have expanded our partnership to include deeper cooperation on hotel supply and that we made a $350 million investment in Traveloka, the majoritysome combination of which isan air, car or destination services component. The individual package components are accounted for as a cost method investmentseparate performance obligations and includedrecognized in accordance with our revenue recognition policies stated above.
As described in Note 9 – Segment Information, our reportable segments are Core Online Travel Agencies (“Core OTA”), trivago, HomeAway and Egencia. Our Core OTA segment generates revenue from the merchant, agency and advertising and media business models as well as all service types. trivago segment revenue is primarily generated through advertising and media. All HomeAway revenue is within long-term investmentthe lodging service type. Our Egencia segment generates revenue from similar business models and other assetsservice types to Core OTA applied to the corporate traveler with the majority being agency revenue.
Deferred Merchant Bookings. We classify cash payments received in advance of our performance obligations as deferred merchant bookings. At January 1, 2018, $3.219 billion of cash advance cash payments was reported within deferred merchant bookings, $2.877 billion of which was recognized resulting in $419 million of revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. At September 30, 2018, the related balance was $4.100 billion.
Travelers enrolled in our internally administered traveler loyalty rewards programs earn points for each eligible booking made which can be redeemed for free or discounted future bookings. Hotels.com Rewards offers travelers one free night at any Hotels.com partner property after that traveler stays 10 nights, subject to certain restrictions. Expedia Rewards enables participating travelers to earn points on all hotel, flight, package and activities made on over 30 Brand Expedia websites. Orbitz Rewards allows travelers to earn OrbucksSM, the currency of Orbitz Rewards, on flights, hotels and vacation packages and

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instantly redeem those Orbucks on future bookings at various hotels worldwide. As travelers accumulate points towards free travel products, we defer the relative standalone selling price of earned points, net of expected breakage, as deferred loyalty rewards within deferred merchant bookings on the consolidated balance sheetsheet. In order to estimate the standalone selling price of the underlying services on which points can be redeemed for all loyalty programs, we use an adjusted market assessment approach and consider the redemption values expected from the traveler. We then estimate the number of rewards that will not be redeemed based on historical activity in our members' accounts as well as statistical modeling techniques. Revenue is recognized when we have satisfied our performance obligation relating to the points, that is when the travel service purchased with the loyalty award is satisfied. The majority of rewards expected to be redeemed are recognized within one to two years of being earned. At January 1, 2018, $619 million of deferred loyalty rewards was reported within deferred merchant bookings, $531 million of which was recognized as revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. At September 30, 2018, the related balance was $695 million.
Deferred Revenue. Deferred revenue primarily consists of HomeAway's traveler service fees received on bookings where we are not merchant of record due to the use of a small portion allocatedthird party payment processor, unearned subscription revenue as well as deferred advertising revenue. At January 1, 2018, $326 million was recorded as deferred revenue, $287 million of which was recognized as revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. At September 30, 2018, the related balance was $346 million.
Practical Expedients and Exemptions. We have used the portfolio approach to intangible assets.account for our loyalty points as the rewards programs share similar characteristics within each program in relation to the value provided to the traveler and their breakage patterns. Using this portfolio approach is not expected to differ materially from applying the guidance to individual contracts. However, we will continue to assess and refine, if necessary, how a portfolio within each rewards program is defined.
We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash includes cash and cash equivalents that is restricted through legal contracts, regulations or our intention to use the cash for a specific purpose. Our restricted cash primarily relates to certain traveler deposits and to a lesser extent collateral for office leases. The following table reconciles cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in our consolidated balance sheets to the total amount presented in our consolidated statements of cash flows:
 September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
 (in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$2,920
 $2,847
Restricted cash and cash equivalents186
 69
Restricted cash included within long-term investments and other assets3
 1
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statement of cash flow$3,109
 $2,917

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Note 43 – Fair Value Measurements
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 20172018 are classified using the fair value hierarchy in the table below:
 Total Level 1 Level 2
 (In thousands)
Assets     
Cash equivalents:     
Money market funds$49,734
 $49,734
 $
Time deposits732,907
 
 732,907
Restricted cash:     
Time deposits2,362
 
 2,362
Investments:     
Time deposits504,070
 
 504,070
Corporate debt securities42,178
 
 42,178
Marketable equity securities306,900
 306,900
 
Total assets$1,638,151
 $356,634
 $1,281,517
      
Liabilities     
Derivatives:     
Foreign currency forward contracts$7,457
 $
 $7,457

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 Total Level 1 Level 2
 (In millions)
Assets     
Cash equivalents:     
Money market funds$39
 $39
 $
Time deposits761
 
 761
Derivatives:     
Foreign currency forward contracts23
 
 23
Investments:     
Time deposits458
 
 458
Marketable equity securities161
 161
 
Total assets$1,442
 $200
 $1,242
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 20162017 are classified using the fair value hierarchy in the table below:
Total Level 1 Level 2Total Level 1 Level 2
(In thousands)(In millions)
Assets          
Cash equivalents:          
Money market funds$113,955
 $113,955
 $
$16
 $16
 $
Time deposits299,585
 
 299,585
552
 
 552
Derivatives:     
Foreign currency forward contracts6
 
 6
Investments:          
Time deposits24,576
 
 24,576
469
 
 469
Corporate debt securities64,227
 
 64,227
Marketable equity securities263
 263
 
Total assets$502,343
 $113,955
 $388,388
$1,306
 $279
 $1,027
     
Liabilities     
Derivatives:     
Foreign currency forward contracts$4,402
 $
 $4,402
We classify our cash equivalents and investments within Level 1 and Level 2 as we value our cash equivalents and investments using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs. Valuation of the foreign currency forward contracts is based on foreign currency exchange rates in active markets, a Level 2 input.
As of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, our cash and cash equivalents consisted primarily of prime institutional money market funds with maturities of three months or less, time deposits as well as bank account balances.
We invest in investment grade corporate debt securities, all of which are classified as available for sale. As of September 30, 2017, we had $37 million of short-term and $6 million of long-term available for sale investments and the amortized cost basis of the investments approximated their fair value with gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses both of less than $1 million. As of December 31, 2016, we had $48 million of short-term and $16 million of long-term available for sale investments and the amortized cost basis of the investments approximated their fair value with both gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses of less than $1 million.
On September 20, 2017, Despegar completed its initial public offering and, therefore we designated our previous cost method investment in Despegar as available for sale. As of September 30, 2017, the cost basis was $273 million and related gross unrealized gain was $34 million.
We also hold time deposit investments with financial institutions. Time deposits with original maturities of less than three months are classified as cash equivalents and those with remaining maturities of less than one year are classified within short-term investments. Additionally,
Our marketable equity securities consist of our investment in Despegar, a publicly traded company, which is included in long-term investments and other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we have time deposits classified as restricted cashrecognized a loss of approximately $102 million within other, net in our consolidated statements of operations related to the fair value changes of this equity investment. As of December 31, 2017, prior to our adoption of the new guidance for certain traveler deposits.recognition and measurement of financial instruments, the cost basis was $273 million and related gross unrealized loss was $9 million.

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Derivative instruments are carried at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets. We use foreign currency forward contracts to economically hedge certain merchant revenue exposures, foreign denominated liabilities related to certain of our loyalty programs and our other foreign currency-denominated operating liabilities. Our goal in managing our foreign exchange risk is to reduce, to the extent practicable, our potential exposure to the changes that exchange rates might have on our earnings, cash flows and financial position. Our foreign currency forward contracts are typically short-term and, as they do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, we classify the changes in their fair value in other, net. As of September 30, 2017,2018, we were party to outstanding forward contracts hedging our liability and revenue exposures with a total net notional value of $2.6$3 billion. We had a net forward liabilityasset of $7$23 million and $4$6 million recorded in accruedprepaid expenses and other current liabilitiesassets as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017. We recorded $(11)$3 million and $4$(11) million in net gains (losses) from foreign currency forward contracts during the three months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 as well as $(2)$51 million and $(44)$(2) million in net gains (losses) during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016.2017.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis
Our non-financial assets, such as goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment, as well as equity and cost method investments, are adjusted to fair value only when an impairment charge is recognized or the underlying investment is sold. Such fair value measurements are based predominately on Level 3 inputs. We measure our minority investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost less impairment, adjusted by observable price changes with changes recorded within other, net on our consolidated statements of operations.
Cost Method Investments.Goodwill. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $61 million related to our Core OTA segment, which resulted from sustained under-performance and a less optimistic outlook related to one of our reporting units during the second quarter of 2018. As a result, we concluded that sufficient indicators existed to require us to perform an interim quantitative assessment of goodwill for that reporting unit as of June 30, 2018 in which we compared the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. The fair value was estimated based on a blended analysis of the present value of future discounted cash flows and market value approach, Level 3 inputs. The significant estimates used in the discounted cash flows model included our weighted average cost of capital, projected cash flows and the long-term rate of growth. Our assumptions were based on the actual historical performance of the reporting unit and took into account a recent weakening of operating results and implied risk premiums based on market prices of our equity and debt as of the assessment date. Our significant estimates in the market approach model included identifying similar companies with comparable business factors such as size, growth, profitability, risk and return on investment and assessing comparable revenue and earnings multiples in estimating the fair value of the reporting unit. The excess of the reporting unit's carrying value over our estimate of the fair value was recorded as the goodwill impairment charge in the current period. As of September 30, 2018, the applicable reporting unit's remaining goodwill was $25 million.
Minority Investments without Readily Determinable Fair Values. As of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the carrying values of our minority investments accounted for under the cost methodwithout readily determinable fair values totaled $372$374 million and $323$371 million. We periodically evaluate the recoverability of each investment and record a write-down to fair value if a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary. During the three and nine

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Notes months ended September 30, 2018, we had no material gains or losses recognized related to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


these minority investments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded $14 million in net losses related to cost methodminority investments, which included $6 million in other-than-temporary impairments during the first six months of 2017 as well as a loss recognized on the liquidation of an investment of $9 million during the third quarter of 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recorded an $11 million other-than-temporary impairment related to a cost method investment.
Note 54 – Debt
The following table sets forth our outstanding debt:
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
(In thousands)(In millions)
7.456% senior notes due 2018$500,000
 $500,000
$
 $500
5.95% senior notes due 2020747,626
 747,020
748
 748
2.5% (€650 million) senior notes due 2022762,264
 677,503
750
 775
4.5% senior notes due 2024494,987
 494,472
496
 495
5.0% senior notes due 2026741,073
 740,341
742
 741
3.8% senior notes due 2028989,786
 
991
 990
Total debt(1)
4,235,736
 3,159,336
3,727
 4,249
Current maturities of long-term debt(500,000) 

 (500)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities$3,735,736
 $3,159,336
$3,727
 $3,749
 
_______________

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


(1)Net of applicable discounts and debt issuance costs.
Current Maturities of Long-term Debt
OurIn August 2018, our $500 million in registered senior unsecured notes outstanding at September 30, 2017 are due in August 2018 and bearthat bore interest at 7.456% (the “7.456% Notes”). Interest is payable semi-annually in February matured and August of each year. At any time Expedia may redeem the 7.456% Notes at a redemption price of 100% of the principal plus accrued interest, plus a “make-whole” premium, in whole or in part.balance was repaid.
Long-term Debt
Our $750 million in registered senior unsecured notes outstanding at September 30, 20172018 are due in August 2020 and bear interest at 5.95% (the “5.95% Notes”). The 5.95% Notes were issued at 99.893% of par resulting in a discount, which is being amortized over their life. Interest is payable semi-annually in February and August of each year. We may redeem the 5.95% Notes at a redemption price of 100% of the principal plus accrued interest, plus a “make-whole” premium, in whole or in part.
Our Euro 650 million in registered senior unsecured notes outstanding at September 30, 20172018 are due in June 2022 and bear interest at 2.5% (the “2.5% Notes”). The 2.5% Notes were issued at 99.525% of par resulting in a discount, which is being amortized over their life. Interest is payable annually in arrears in June of each year. We may redeem the 2.5% Notes at our option, at whole or in part, at any time or from time to time. If we elect to redeem the 2.5% Notes prior to March 3, 2022, we may redeem them at a specified “make-whole” premium. If we elect to redeem the 2.5% Notes on or after March 3, 2022, we may redeem them at a redemption price of 100% of the principal plus accrued and unpaid interest. Subject to certain limited exceptions, all payments of interest and principal for the 2.5% Notes will be made in Euros.
The aggregate principal value of the 2.5% Notes is designated as a hedge of our net investment in certain Euro functional currency subsidiaries. The notes are measured at Euro to U.S. Dollar exchange rates at each balance sheet date and transaction gains or losses due to changes in rates are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”).AOCI. The Euro-denominated net assets of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at each balance sheet date, with effects of foreign currency changes also reported in accumulated OCI.AOCI. Since the notional amount of the recorded Euro-denominated debt is less than the notional amount of our net investment, we do not expect to incur any ineffectiveness on this hedge.
Our $500 million in registered senior unsecured notes outstanding at September 30, 20172018 are due in August 2024 and bear interest at 4.5% (the “4.5% Notes”). The 4.5% Notes were issued at 99.444% of par resulting in a discount, which is being amortized over their life. Interest is payable semi-annually in February and August of each year. We may redeem the 4.5% Notes at our option at any time in whole or from time to time in part. If we elect to redeem the 4.5% Notes prior to May 15, 2024, we may redeem them at a redemption price of 100% of the principal plus accrued interest, plus a “make-whole” premium. If we elect to redeem the 4.5% Notes on or after May 15, 2024, we may redeem them at a redemption price of 100% of the principal plus accrued interest.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


Our $750 million in registered senior unsecured notes outstanding at September 30, 20172018 are due in February 2026 and bear interest at 5.0% (the “5.0% Notes”). The 5.0% Notes were issued at 99.535% of par resulting in a discount, which is being amortized over their life. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears in February and August of each year. We may redeem the 5.0% Notes at our option at any time in whole or from time to time in part. If we elect to redeem the 5.0% Notes prior to November 12, 2025, we may redeem them at a redemption price of 100% of the principal plus accrued interest, plus a “make-whole” premium. If we elect to redeem the 5.0% Notes on or after November 12, 2025, we may redeem them at a redemption price of 100% of the principal plus accrued interest.
In September 2017, we privately placedOur $1 billion ofin registered senior unsecured notes thatoutstanding at September 30, 2018 are due in February 2028 and bear interest at 3.8% (the "3.8% Notes"). The 3.8% Notes were issued at 99.747% of par resulting in a discount, which is being amortized over their life. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears in February and August of each year, beginning February 15, 2018. We may redeem the 3.8% Notes at our option at any time in whole or from time to time in part. If we elect to redeem the 3.8% Notes prior to November 15, 2027, we may redeem them at a redemption price of 100% of the principal plus accrued interest, plus a “make-whole” premium. If we elect to redeem the 3.8% Notes on or after November 15, 2027, we may redeem them at a redemption price of 100% of the principal plus accrued interest. We also entered into a registration rights agreement with respect to the 3.8% Notes, under which we agreed to use commercially reasonable best efforts to file a registration statement to permit the exchange of the 3.8% Notes for registered notes having the same financial terms and covenants as the 3.8% Notes, and cause such registration statement to become effective and complete the related exchange offer within 365 days of the issuance of the 3.8% Notes. If we fail to satisfy certain of its obligations under the registration rights agreement, we will be required to pay additional interest of 0.25% per annum to the holders of the 3.8% Notes until such registrations right default is cured.
The 7.456%, 5.95%, 4.5%2.5%, 2.5%4.5%, 5.0% and 3.8% Notes (collectively the “Notes”) are senior unsecured obligations issued by Expedia Group and guaranteed by certain domestic Expedia Group subsidiaries. The Notes rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Expedia Group and the guarantor subsidiaries. For further information, see Note 1210 – Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Supplemental Financial Information. In addition, the Notes include covenants that limit our ability to (i) create certain liens, (ii) enter into sale/leaseback transactions and (iii) merge or consolidate with or into another entity or transfer substantially all of our assets. Accrued interest related to the Notes was $25$24 million and $63$75 million as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017. The 5.95%, 4.5%, 2.5%, 5.0% and 3.8% Notes are redeemable in whole or in part, at the option of the holders thereof, upon the occurrence of certain change of control triggering events at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal plus accrued and unpaid interest.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


The following table sets forth the approximate fair value of our outstanding debt, which is based on quoted market prices in less active markets (Level 2 inputs):
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
(In thousands)(In millions)
7.456% senior notes due 2018$524,000
 $541,000
$
 $516
5.95% senior notes due 2020822,000
 823,000
784
 810
2.5% (€650 million) senior notes due 2022 (1)
820,000
 718,000
793
 828
4.5% senior notes due 2024531,000
 511,000
504
 528
5.0% senior notes due 2026819,000
 782,000
767
 807
3.8% senior notes due 2028992,000
 
926
 969
 
_______________
(1)Approximately 694683 million Euro as of September 30, 20172018 and 682690 million Euro as of December 31, 2016.2017.
Credit Facility
As of September 30, 2018, Expedia Group, Inc. maintainsmaintained a $1.5$2 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of lenders, which is unconditionally guaranteed by certain domestic Expedia Group subsidiaries that are the same as under the Notes and expires in February 2021.May 2023. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016,2018, we had no revolving credit facility borrowings outstanding. The facility bears interest based on the Company’s credit ratings, with drawn amounts bearing interest at LIBOR plus 137.5125 basis points and the commitment fee on undrawn amounts at 17.5 basis points as of September 30, 2017.2018. The facility contains covenants including maximum leverage and minimum interest coverage ratios.
The amount of stand-by letters of credit (“LOC”) issued under the facility reduces the credit amount available. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016,2018, there were $16 million and $19$14 million of outstanding stand-by LOCs issued under the facility.

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TableThe current facility was entered into in May 2018 and replaced our prior $1.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility that was due to expire in February 2021. As of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


December 31, 2017, we had no revolving credit facility borrowings outstanding under the prior facility and $14 million of outstanding stand-by LOCs issued under that facility.
In addition, one of our international subsidiaries maintains a Euro 50 million uncommitted credit facility, which is guaranteed by Expedia Inc.,Group, that may be terminated at any time by the lender. As of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, there were no borrowings outstanding.
Note 65 – Stockholders’ Equity
Dividends on our Common Stock
The Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Board of Directors, declared the following dividends during the periods presented:
Declaration Date
Dividend
Per Share
 Record Date 
Total Amount
(in thousands)
 Payment Date
Dividend
Per Share
 Record Date 
Total Amount
(in millions)
 Payment Date
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

 
 

 
February 7, 2018$0.30
 March 8, 2018 $46
 March 28, 2018
April 24, 20180.30
 May 24, 2018 45
 June 14, 2018
July 23, 20180.32
 August 23, 2018 47
 September 13, 2018
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017    

 
 

 
February 7, 2017$0.28
 March 9, 2017 $42,247
 March 30, 20170.28
 March 9, 2017 42
 March 30, 2017
April 26, 20170.28
 May 25, 2017 42,438
 June 15, 20170.28
 May 25, 2017 43
 June 15, 2017
July 26, 20170.30
 August 24, 2017 45,578
 September 14, 20170.30
 August 24, 2017 45
 September 14, 2017
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016    
February 8, 20160.24
 March 10, 2016 36,174
 March 30, 2016
April 26, 20160.24
 May 26, 2016 35,773
 June 16, 2016
July 27, 20160.26
 August 25, 2016 39,062
 September 15, 2016
In addition, in October 2017,2018, the Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Board of Directors, declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30$0.32 per share of outstanding common stock payable on December 7, 20176, 2018 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 16, 2017.15, 2018. Future declarations of dividends are subject to final determination by our Board of Directors.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


Share Repurchases
In February 2015, the Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Board of Directors, authorized a repurchase of up to 10 million shares of our common stock. There is no fixed termination date forIn April 2018, the repurchases.Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Board of Directors, authorized a repurchase of up to an additional 15 million shares of our common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, we repurchased, through open market transactions, 1.05.2 million shares under this authorizationthese authorizations for the total cost of $139$602 million, excluding transaction costs, representing an average repurchase price of $135.49$115.81 per share. As of September 30, 2017, 6.22018, there were approximately 14.7 million shares remain authorized for repurchaseremaining under the 20152018 repurchase authorization.
Stock-based Awards
Stock-based compensation expense relates primarily There is no fixed termination date for the repurchases. Subsequent to expense for stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”). Asthe end of September 30, 2017, we had stock-based awards outstanding representing approximately 19 million shares of our common stock, consisting of options to purchase approximately 16 million shares of our common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $93.89 and weighted average remaining life of 4.6 years and approximately 2 million RSUs.
During the third quarter of 2017, as2018, we repurchased an additional 0.3 million shares for a resulttotal cost of the recent departure$33 million, excluding transaction costs, representing an average purchase price of our former CEO and the related forfeiture of certain of his stock-based awards, we reversed $41 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation within general and administrative expense. For$129.35 per share.
Other Share Activity
During the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, we recognized $6issued 269,646 shares of common stock from treasury to Liberty Expedia Holdings, Inc. ("Liberty") at a purchase price per share of $113.32 and an aggregate value of approximately $31 million pursuant to and in accordance with the preemptive rights as detailed by the Amended and Restated Governance Agreement with Liberty dated as of total stock-based compensation expense, compared to $48 million for the same period in 2016.December 20, 2011, as amended.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Loss
The balance for each class of accumulated other comprehensive loss as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 is as follows:
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
(In thousands)(In millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax(1)
$(144,653) $(280,426)$(202) $(142)
Net unrealized gain on available for sale securities, net of tax(2)
20,680
 27
Net unrealized loss on available for sale securities, net of tax(2)

 (7)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss$(123,973) $(280,399)$(202) $(149)
 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


(1)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax, include foreign currency transaction losses at September 30, 20172018 of $37$35 million ($5945 million before tax) and gains$45 million ($71 million before tax) at December 31, 2016 of $16 million ($25 million before tax)2017 associated with our 2.5% Notes. The 2.5% Notes are Euro-denominated debt designated as hedges of certain of our Euro-denominated net assets. See Note 54 – Debt for more information. The remaining balance in currency translation adjustments excludes income taxes as a result of our current intention to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of our international subsidiaries outside of the United States.
(2)The net unrealized gainloss on available for sale securities before tax at September 30,December 31, 2017 was $34 million.$9 million, which was reclassified to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 upon adoption of the relevant new accounting guidance.
Acquisition of Non-redeemable Non-controlling Interest of Air Asia-Expedia
During August 2018, we purchased the remaining 25% minority equity interest in AAE Travel Pte. Ltd., the joint venture formed by Air Asia and Expedia Group in March 2011. Prior to this transaction, we held a 75% controlling interest in the joint venture since 2015. The cash consideration was approximately $62 million.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


Note 76 – Earnings Per Share
The following table presents our basic and diluted earnings per share:
Three months ended
September 30,
 Nine months ended
September 30,
Three months ended
September 30,
 Nine months ended
September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
(In thousands, except per share data)(In millions, except share and per share data)
Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc.$352,238
 $279,331
 $322,805
 $202,391
Earnings per share attributable to Expedia, Inc. available to common stockholders:       
Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.$525
 $352
 $389
 $323
Earnings per share attributable to Expedia Group, Inc. available to common stockholders:       
Basic$2.32
 $1.86
 $2.13
 $1.35
$3.51
 $2.32
 $2.59
 $2.13
Diluted2.23
 1.81
 2.06
 1.31
3.43
 2.23
 2.54
 2.06
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:       
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (000's):       
Basic152,088
 150,239
 151,406
 150,281
149,482
 152,088
 150,450
 151,406
Dilutive effect of:              
Options to purchase common stock5,009
 3,745
 4,564
 3,815
2,866
 5,009
 2,396
 4,564
Other dilutive securities663
 252
 550
 236
805
 663
 558
 550
Diluted157,760
 154,236
 156,520
 154,332
153,153
 157,760
 153,404
 156,520
Basic earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares. The earnings per share amounts are the same for common stock and Class B common stock because the holders of each class are legally entitled to equal per share distributions whether through dividends or in liquidation.
Diluted earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares including the dilutive effect of stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method. In periods when we recognize a net loss, we exclude the impact of outstanding stock awards from the diluted loss per share calculation as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, approximately 15 million of outstanding stock awards werehave been excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders because their effect would have been antidilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, approximately 91 million of outstanding stock awards have been excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders because their effect would have been antidilutive.
Note 87RestructuringIncome Taxes
The Tax Act was enacted in December 2017. The Tax Act significantly changed U.S. tax law by, among other things, lowering U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a territorial tax system, and Related Reorganization Charges
In connection with activitiesimposing a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriation of cumulative earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which was subsequently codified in March 2018, to centralizeaddress the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act and optimize certain operations as well as migrate technology platforms inallows the registrant to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year of the enactment date. In the prior year, primarilywe recognized a net tax benefit of $14 million for the provisional tax effects related to previously disclosed acquisitions,the one-time transition tax and the revaluation of deferred tax balances and included these estimates in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. We are still in the process of analyzing the effect of the various provisions of the Tax Act. The ultimate effect may materially differ from these provisional amounts due to, among other things, additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions we recognized $16 millionhave made, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued, and $46 million in restructuring and related reorganization charges duringactions we may take as a result of the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Based on current plans, which are subject to change, weTax Act. We expect to incur less than $5 million duringcomplete our analysis within the remaindermeasurement period in accordance with SAB 118.
While the Tax Act provides for a modified territorial tax system, beginning in 2018, global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) provisions will be applied imposing an incremental tax on low-taxed foreign income. The GILTI provisions require us to include in our U.S. income tax return foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of 2017an allowable return on the foreign subsidiary’s tangible assets. Under U.S. GAAP, we are required to make an accounting policy election to either (1) treat taxes due related to these integrationsGILTI as a current-period expense when incurred (the “period cost method”) or (2) factor such amounts into our measurement of our deferred taxes (the “deferred method”). We are continuing to evaluate the GILTI tax rules and estimates dohave not include any possible future acquisition integrations. Accrued restructure liabilities were $15 million and $18 million asyet adopted our policy to account for the related impacts. The Tax Act also provides for foreign derived intangible income (“FDII”) to be taxed at a lower effective rate than the U.S. statutory rate by allowing a tax deduction against the income.

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Table of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
Contents
Note 9Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsIncome Taxes(Continued)


We determine our provision for income taxes for interim periods using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate. We record any changes affecting the estimated annual effective tax rate in the interim period in which the change occurs, including discrete tax items. We have included in the estimated annual effective tax the reduction in the U.S. statutory tax rate, GILTI, and the FDII deduction related to current year operations and have not provided additional GILTI on deferred items.

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NotesFor the three months ended September 30, 2018, the effective tax rate was a 13.3% expense on a pre-tax income, compared to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


a 15.9% expense on pre-tax income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 with the change primarily driven by the above Tax Act changes, a decrease in excess tax benefits for stock compensation as well as other discrete tax items.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded2018, the effective tax rate was a 13.1% expense on a pre-tax income, compared to a 6.6% tax rate expense on pre-tax income which was driven by discrete income tax items, specifically the recognition of excess tax benefits related to share-based payments. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was2017 with the change primarily driven by the Tax Act, the 2018 goodwill impairment as discussed in Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements, a 9.2%decrease in excess tax rate benefit measured against a pre-tax income, and was due to discrete income tax items including release of a valuation allowancebenefits for net operating losses in the first quarter of 2016,stock compensation as well as recognition of excessother discrete tax benefits related to share-based payments resulting from the adoption of new accounting guidance for share-based paymentsitems.as of January 1, 2016. 
In addition to the above, our effective tax rate for all periods was lower than the 35% federal statutory rate due to earnings in foreign jurisdictions outside of the United States, predominately Switzerland, where our statutory income tax rate is lower as well as excess tax benefits.
We are subject to taxation in the United States and various other state and foreign jurisdictions. We are under examination by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") for our 2009 through 2013 tax years. Our 2014 and subsequentSubsequent years remain open to examination by the IRS. We do not anticipate a significant impact to our gross unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months related to these years. During first quarter of 2017, the IRS issued proposed adjustments related to transfer pricing with our foreign subsidiaries for our 2009 to 2010 audit cycle. The proposed adjustments would increase our U.S. taxable income by $105 million, which would result in federal tax expense of approximately $37 million, subject to interest. We do not agree with the position of the IRSproposed adjustments and are formally protesting the IRS position.
Note 108 – Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, we are a party to various lawsuits. Management does not expect these lawsuits to have a material impact on the liquidity, results of operations, or financial condition of Expedia.Expedia Group. We also evaluate other potential contingent matters, including value-added tax, excise tax, sales tax, transient occupancy or accommodation tax and similar matters. We do not believe that the aggregate amount of liability that could be reasonably possible with respect to these matters would have a material adverse effect on our financial results; however, litigation is inherently uncertain and the actual losses incurred in the event that our legal proceedings were to result in unfavorable outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial performance.
Litigation Relating to Occupancy Taxes. Ninety-six lawsuits have been filed by or against cities, counties and states involving hotel occupancy and other taxes. SeventeenTen lawsuits are currently active. These lawsuits are in various stages and we continue to defend against the claims made in them vigorously. With respect to the principal claims in these matters, we believe that the statutes or ordinances at issue do not apply to the services we provide and, therefore, that we do not owe the taxes that are claimed to be owed. We believe that the statutes or ordinances at issue generally impose occupancy and other taxes on entities that own, operate or control hotels (or similar businesses) or furnish or provide hotel rooms or similar accommodations. To date, forty-oneforty-five of these lawsuits have been dismissed. Some of these dismissals have been without prejudice and, generally, allow the governmental entity or entities to seek administrative remedies prior to pursuing further litigation. Twenty-sevenThirty-one dismissals were based on a finding that we and the other defendants were not subject to the local hotel occupancy tax ordinance or that the local government lacked standing to pursue their claims. As a result of this litigation and other attempts by certain jurisdictions to levy such taxes, we have established a reserve for the potential settlement of issues related to hotel occupancy and other taxes, consistent with applicable accounting principles and in light of all current facts and circumstances, in the amount of $40 million and $71$43 million as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017, respectively. Our settlement reserve is based on our best estimate of probable losses and the ultimate resolution of these contingencies may be greater or less than the liabilities recorded. An estimate for a reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of the amount reserved cannot be made. Changes to the settlement reserve are included within legal reserves, occupancy tax and other in the consolidated statements of operations.
In addition, we have been audited by the stateState of Colorado. The state has issued assessments for claimed tax, interest and penalty in the approximate amount of $23 million for the periods December 1, 1999 through December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011. We do not agree with these assessments and have filed protests.
Pay-to-Play. Certain jurisdictions may assert that we are required to pay any assessed taxes prior to being allowed to contest or litigate the applicability of the ordinances. This prepayment of contested taxes is referred to as “pay-to-play.” Payment of these amounts is not an admission that we believe we are subject to such taxes and, even when such payments are made, we continue to defend our position vigorously. If we prevail in the litigation, for which a pay-to-play payment was made, the jurisdiction collecting the payment will be required to repay such amounts and also may be required to pay interest.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


Hawaii (General Excise Tax). During 2013, the Expedia Group companies were required to “pay-to-play” and paid a total of $171 million in advance of litigation relating to general excise taxes for merchant model hotel reservations in the State of Hawaii. In September 2015, following a ruling by the Hawaii Supreme Court, the State of Hawaii refunded the Expedia Group companies $132 million of the original “pay-to-play” amount. Orbitz also received a similar refund of $22 million from the

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


State of Hawaii in September 2015. The amount paid, net of refunds, by the Expedia Group companies and Orbitz to the State of Hawaii in satisfaction of past general excise taxes on their services for merchant model hotel reservations was $44 million. The parties reached a settlement relating to Orbitz merchant model hotel tax liabilities, and on October 5, 2016, the Expedia Group companies paid the State of Hawaii for the tax years 2012 through 2015. The Expedia Group companies includingand Orbitz have now resolved all assessments by the State of Hawaii for merchant model hotel taxes through 2015.
The Hawaii Department of Taxation also issued final assessments for general excise taxes against the Expedia Group companies, including Orbitz, dated December 23, 2015 for the time period 2000 to 2014 for hotel and car rental revenue for “agency model” transactions. Those assessments are currently under review in the Hawaii tax courts. The Hawaii tax court has scheduled trial on the agency hotel and car rental matters for February 9,4, 2019. On December 29, 2017, the defendant online travel companies filed a motion for partial summary judgment. On January 10, 2018, the Department of Taxation asked the tax court to stay proceedings in the agency hotel and car rental case pending a decision by the Hawaii Supreme Court in the merchant model car rental case addressed below; the defendants opposed that request. On February 5, 2018, the tax court granted the motion to stay.
Final assessments by the Hawaii Department of Taxation for general exerciseexcise taxes against the Expedia Group companies, including Orbitz, relating to merchant car rental transactions during the years 2000 to 2014 are also currently under review in the Hawaii tax courts. With respect to merchant model car rental transactions at issue for the tax years 2000 through 2013, the Hawaii tax court held on August 5, 2016 that general excise tax is due on the online travel companies’ services to facilitate car rentals. The court further ruled that for merchant model car rentals in Hawaii, the online travel companies are required to pay general excise tax on the total amount paid by consumers, with no credit for tax amounts already remitted by car rental companies to the State of Hawaii for tax years 2000 through 2013, thus resulting in a double tax on the amount paid by consumers to car rental companies for the rental of the vehicle. The court, however, ruled that when car rentals are paid for as part of a vacation package, tax is only due once on the amount paid by consumers to the car rental company for the rental of the vehicle. In addition, the court ruled that the online travel companies are required to pay interest and certain penalties on the amounts due. On April 25, 2017, the court entered a stipulated order and final judgment. On May 15, 2017, the Expedia Group companies paid under protest the full amount claimed due, or approximately $16.7 million, as a condition of appeal. The parties filed notices of cross-appeal from the order. The appeals have beenwere transferred to the Hawaii Supreme Court, and remain pending.which heard argument on the appeals on April 5, 2018. The parties await a ruling. The Hawaii tax court’s decision did not resolve merchant car rental transactions for the tax year 2014, which also remain under review.
San Francisco (Occupancy Tax). During 2009, Expedia Group companies were required to “pay-to-play” and paid $48 million in advance of litigation relating to occupancy tax proceedings with the cityCity of San Francisco and, in May 2014, the Expedia Group companies paid an additional $25.5 million under protest in order to contest additional assessments for later time periods. In addition, Orbitz in total has paid $4.6 million to the cityCity of San Francisco to contest similar assessments issued against it by the city. On August 6, 2014, the California Court of Appeals stayed this case pending review and decision by the California Supreme Court ofin the City of San Diego, California Litigation.Litigation. The California Court of Appeals has lifted the stay and, on May 23, 2018, affirmed the trial court’s holding that the online travel companies are not liable to remit hotel occupancy taxes to San Francisco. On July 2, 2018, the City of San Francisco filed a petition for this casereview by the California Supreme Court, which was denied on August 29, 2018. On September 13, 2018, the City of San Francisco refunded all pay-to-play payments made by the Expedia Group companies (including Orbitz), along with accumulated interest. The $78 million refund was recorded as a gain within legal reserves, occupancy tax and other in the consolidated statement of operations and the appeal is proceeding.$19 million of accumulated interest to interest income during the three months ended September 30, 2018.
Other Jurisdictions. We are also in various stages of inquiry or audit with domestic and foreign tax authorities, some of which, including in the City of Los Angeles regarding hotel occupancy taxes and in the United Kingdom regarding the application of value added tax (“VAT”) to our European Union related transactions as discussed below, may impose a pay-to-play requirement to challenge an adverse inquiry or audit result in court.
The ultimate resolution of these contingencies may be greater or less than the pay-to-play payments made and our estimates of additional assessments mentioned above.
Matters Relating to International VAT. We are in various stages of inquiry or audit in multiple European Union jurisdictions, including in the United Kingdom, regarding the application of VAT to our European Union related transactions. While we believe we comply with applicable VAT laws, rules and regulations in the relevant jurisdictions, the tax authorities may determine that we owe additional taxes. In certain jurisdictions, including in the United Kingdom, we may be required to “pay-to-play” any VAT assessment prior to contesting its validity. While we believe that we will be successful based on the merits of our positions with regard to the United Kingdom and other VAT audits in pay-to-play jurisdictions, it is nevertheless

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reasonably possible that we could be required to pay any assessed amounts in order to contest or litigate the applicability of any assessments and an estimate for a reasonably possible amount of any such payments cannot be made.
Matters Relating to Competition Reviews and Legislation Relating to Parity ClausesConsumer Protection Matters.. Over the last several years, the online travel industry has become the subject of investigations by various national competition authorities ("NCAs"), particularly in Europe. Expedia isGroup companies are or hashave been involved in investigations predominately related to whether certain parity clauses in contracts between Expedia entitiesGroup companies and accommodation providers, sometimes also referred to as "most favored nation" or "MFN" provisions, are anti-competitive.
In Europe, investigations or inquiries into contractual parity provisions between hotels and online travel companies, including Expedia Group companies, were initiated in 2012, 2013 and 2014 by NCAs in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland. While the ultimate outcome of some of these investigations or inquiries remains uncertain, and Expedia’sthe Expedia Group companies’ circumstances are distinguishable from other online travel companies subject to similar investigations and inquiries, we note in this context that on April 21, 2015, the French, Italian and Swedish NCAs, working in close cooperation with the European Commission, announced that they had accepted formal

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commitments offered by Booking.com to resolve and close the investigations against Booking.com in France, Italy and Sweden by Booking.com removing and/or modifying certain rate, conditions and availability parity provisions in its contracts with accommodation providers in France, Italy and Sweden as of July 1, 2015, among other commitments. Booking.com voluntarily extended the geographic scope of these commitments to accommodation providers throughout Europe as of the same date.
With effect from August 1, 2015, Expedia Group companies waived certain rate, conditions and availability parity clauses in its agreements with its European hotel partners for a period of five years. While the Expedia maintainsGroup companies maintain that itstheir parity clauses have always been lawful and in compliance with competition law, these waivers were nevertheless implemented as a positive step towards facilitating the closure of the open investigations into such clauses on a harmonized pan-European basis. Following the implementation of Expedia'sExpedia Group companies' waivers, nearly all NCAs in Europe have announced either the closure of their investigation or inquiries involving Expedia Group companies or a decision not to open an investigation or inquiry involving Expedia.Expedia Group companies. Below are descriptions of additional rate parity-related matters of note in Europe.
The German Federal Cartel Office ("FCO") has required another online travel company, Hotel Reservation Service ("HRS"), to remove certain clauses from its contracts with hotels. HRS’ appeal of this decision was rejected by the Higher Regional Court Düsseldorf on January 9, 2015. On December 23, 2015, the FCO announced that it had also required Booking.com by way of an infringement decision to remove certain clauses from its contracts with German hotels. Booking.com has appealed the decision and the appeal was heard by the Higher Regional Court Düsseldorf on February 8, 2017. Those proceedings remain ongoing.
The Italian competition authority's case closure decision against Booking.com and Expedia Group companies has subsequently been appealed by two Italian hotel trade associations, i.ei.e.., Federalberghi and AICA. These appeals remain at an early stage and no hearing date has been fixed.
On November 6, 2015, the Swiss competition authority announced that it had issued a final decision finding certain parity terms existing in previous versions of agreements between Swiss hotels and each of certain Expedia Group companies, Booking.com and HRS to be prohibited under Swiss law. The decision explicitly notes that Expedia'sthe Expedia Group companies current contract terms with Swiss hotels are not subject to this prohibition. The Swiss competition authority imposed no fines or other sanctions against the Expedia Group companies and did not find an abuse of a dominant market position by Expedia.the Expedia Group companies. The FCO’s case against Expedia’sExpedia Group’s contractual parity provisions with accommodation providers in Germany remains open but is still at a preliminary stage with no formal allegations of wrong-doing having been communicated to the Expedia Group companies to date.
The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Repression of Fraud (the “DGCCRF”), a directorate of the French Ministry of Economy and Finance with authority over unfair trading practices, brought a lawsuit in France against Expedia entitiesGroup companies objecting to certain parity clauses in contracts between Expedia entitiesGroup companies and French hotels. In May 2015, the French court ruled that certain of the parity provisions in certain contracts that were the subject of the lawsuit were not in compliance with French commercial law, but imposed no fine and no injunction. The DGCCRF appealed the decision and, on June 21, 2017, the Paris Court of Appeal published a judgment overturning the decision. The court annulled parity clauses contained in the agreements at issue, ordered the Expedia Group companies to amend itstheir contracts, and imposed a fine. The Expedia intends to appealGroup companies have appealed the decision. Any suchThe appeal will not stay payment of the fine.
Hotelverband Deutschland (“IHA”) e.V. (a German hotel association) brought proceedings before the Cologne regional court against Expedia, Inc., Expedia.com GmbH and Expedia Lodging Partner Services Sàrl. IHA applied for a ‘cease and desist’ order against these companies in relation to the enforcement of certain rate and availability parity clauses contained in contracts with hotels in Germany. On or around February 16, 2017, the court dismissed IHA’s action and declared the claimant

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liable for the Expedia Group defendants’ statutory costs. IHA has appealed the decision.decision and, on December 4, 2017, the Court of Appeals rejected IHA’s appeal. The Court of Appeals expressly confirmed that Expedia Group’s MFNs are in compliance both with European and German competition law. While IHA had indicated an intention to appeal the decision to the Federal Supreme Court, it has not lodged an appeal within the applicable deadline, with the consequence that the Court of Appeals judgment has now become final.
A working group of 10 European NCAs (Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom) and the European Commission has been established by the European Competition Network (“ECN”) at the end of 2015 to monitor the functioning of the online hotel booking sector, following amendments made by a number of online travel companies (including Booking.com and Expedia)Expedia Group companies) in relation to certain parity provisions in their contracts with hotels. The working group issued questionnaires to online travel agencies including Expedia Group companies, metasearch sites and hotels in 2016. The underlying results of the ECN monitoring exercise were published on April 6, 2017.
Legislative bodies in certain countriesFrance (July 2015), Austria (December 2016) and Italy (August 2017) have also adopted or are proposing to adopt, new domestic anti-parity clause legislation. On July 9, 2015, the French National Assembly adopted Article 133Expedia Group believes each of the Loi Macron ("Article 133") that seeks to define the naturethese pieces of the relationship between online reservation platforms and French hotels. Article 133 became effective on August 8, 2015. Expedia considers that Article 133 was drafted ambiguously and can be interpreted in a way that violates both EU and French legal principles. Therefore Expedia has submitted a complaint to the European Commission relating to Article 133. However, following the effective date, Expedia has been in contact with its hotel partners in France regarding the impact of Article 133. Legislation banning certain parity provisions in contracts between online travel companies and Austrian accommodation providers became effective on December 31, 2016. Expedia believes this legislation violates both EU and Austriannational legal principles and therefore, Expedia has submitted a complaint to the European Commission relating to this

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legislation. Furthermore, legislation banning certain parity provisions in contracts between online travelGroup companies and Italian accommodation providers became effective on August 29, 2017. Expedia believes this legislation violates both EU and Italian legal principles and therefore, Expedia will also challenge this legislationhave challenged these laws at the European Commission. Moreover, in Belgium, new domestic anti-parity legislation entered into force on August 20, 2018.
A motion requesting the Swiss government to take action on narrow price parity has been adopted in the Swiss parliament. Moreover, in Belgium, theThe Swiss government is also reviewing narrow parity provisions.now required to draft legislation implementing the motion. The Company is unable to predict whether these proposals in their current form or in another formand with what content legislation will ultimately be adopted and, if so, when this might be the case. It is not yet clear how any adopted domestic anti-parity clause legislations and/or any possible future legislation in this area may affect Expedia’sExpedia Group's business.
Outside of Europe, a number of NCAs have also opened investigations or inquired about contractual parity provisions in contracts between hotels and online travel companies in their respective territories, including Expedia.Expedia Group companies. A Brazilian hotel sector association -- Forum de Operadores Hoteleiros do Brasil -- filed a complaint with the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defence (“CADE”) against a number of online travel companies, including Booking.com, Decolar.com and Expedia Group companies, on July 27, 2016 with respect to parity provisions in contracts between hotels and online travel companies. On September 13, 2016, the Expedia Group companies submitted itsa response to the complaint to CADE. On March 27, 2018, Expedia recentlyGroup companies resolved CADE’s concerns based on a settlement implementing waivers substantially similar to those provided to accommodation providers in Europe. In late 2016, Expedia Group resolved the concerns of the Australia and New Zealand NCAs based on implementation of the waivers substantially similar to those provided to accommodation providers in Europe on(on September 1, 2016 in Australia and on October 28, 2016 in New Zealand. TheZealand). More recently, however, the Australian NCA however, recently indicated that it is reopeninghas reopened its investigation. Expedia isGroup companies are in ongoing discussions with a limited number of NCAs in other countries in relation to itstheir contracts with hotels. Expedia Group is currently unable to predict the impact the implementation of the waivers both in Europe and elsewhere will have on Expedia'sExpedia Group's business, on investigations or inquiries by NCAs in other countries, or on industry practice more generally.
The Company is unable to predict how any pending appeals of administrative decisions and the remaining open investigations and inquiries by NCAs will ultimately be resolved, or whether further actionIn addition, regulatory authorities in Europe (including the UK Competition and Markets Authority, or "CMA"), Australia, and elsewhere have initiated market studies and/or inquiries and investigations into online marketplaces and how information is presented to consumers using those marketplaces, investigating practices such as search results rankings and algorithms, discount claims, disclosure of charges, and availability and similar messaging. On June 28, 2018, the CMA announced that it will be taken as a resultrequiring hotel booking websites to take action to address concerns identified in the course of its ongoing investigation.
We are cooperating with regulators in the ECN’s working group's assessment and findings. Possible outcomes include requiring Expedia to amend or remove certain parity clauses from its contracts with accommodation providers in those jurisdictions and/or the imposition of fines.
It is not yet clear how any adopted domestic anti-parity clause legislations and/or any possible future legislation in this area may affect Expedia’s business. Competition-related investigations legislation or issues could also give rise to private litigation. For example, Expedia is involved in private litigation in Germany related to its current contractual parity provisions (see above). Wedescribed above where applicable, but we are unable to predict howwhat, if any, effect such litigationactions will be resolved,have on our business, industry practices or whether it will impact Expedia’s businessonline commerce more generally. Other than described above, we have not accrued a reserve in Germany.connection with the market studies, investigations, inquiries or legal proceedings described above either because the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is not probable or the amount of any loss is not estimable.

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Note 119 – Segment Information
We have four reportable segments: Core Online Travel Agencies (“Core OTA”),OTA, trivago, HomeAway and Egencia. Our Core OTA segment, which consists of the aggregation of operating segments, provides a full range of travel and advertising services to our worldwide customers through a variety of brands including: Expedia.com and Hotels.com in the United States and localized Expedia and Hotels.com websites throughout the world, Orbitz, CheapTickets, ebookers, Expedia Affiliate Network, Hotwire.com,Partner Solutions, Orbitz, Travelocity, Wotif Group, ebookers, CheapTickets, Hotwire.com, CarRentals.com, Classic Vacations and SilverRail Technologies, Inc. Our trivago segment generates advertising revenue primarily from sending referrals to online travel companies and travel service providers from its hotel metasearch websites. Our HomeAway segment operates an online marketplace for the vacation rental industry. Our Egencia segment provides managed travel services to corporate customers worldwide.
We determined our operating segments based on how our chief operating decision makers manage our business, make operating decisions and evaluate operating performance. Our primary operating metric is adjustedAdjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA for our Core OTA and Egencia segments includes allocations of certain expenses, primarily cost of revenue and facilities, and our Core OTA segment includes the total costs of our global supply organizations as well as the realized foreign currency gains or losses related to the forward contracts hedging a component of our net merchant hotel revenue. We base the allocations primarily on transaction volumes and other usage metrics. We do not allocate certain shared expenses such as accounting, human resources, information technology and legal to our reportable segments. We include these expenses in Corporate and Eliminations. Our allocation methodology is periodically evaluated and may change. During the first quarter of 2018, we updated our allocations methodology for certain technology costs. While the impact of the update was not significant, we recast the historical information presented to be on a comparable basis.
Our segment disclosure includes intersegment revenues, which primarily consist of advertising and media services provided by our trivago segment to our Core OTA segment. These intersegment transactions are recorded by each segment at amounts that approximate fair value as if the transactions were between third parties, and therefore, impact segment performance. However, the revenue and corresponding expense are eliminated in consolidation. The elimination of such intersegment transactions is included within Corporate and Eliminations in the table below. In addition, when HomeAway properties are booked through our Core OTA websites and vice versa, the segments split the third-party revenue for management and segment reporting purposes with the majority of the third-party revenue residing with the website marketing the property or room.

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Corporate and Eliminations also includes unallocated corporate functions and expenses. In addition, we record amortization of intangible assets and any related impairment, as well as stock-based compensation expense, restructuring and related reorganization charges, legal reserves, occupancy tax and other, and other items excluded from segment operating performance in Corporate and Eliminations. Such amounts are detailed in our segment reconciliation below.
The following tables present our segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and September 30, 2016.2017. As a significant portion of our property and equipment is not allocated to our operating segments and depreciation is not included in our segment measure, we do not report the assets by segment as it would not be meaningful. We do not regularly provide such information to our chief operating decision makers.
 
 Three months ended September 30, 2017
 Core OTA trivago HomeAway Egencia Corporate &
Eliminations
 Total
 (In thousands)
Third-party revenue$2,313,717
 $221,143
 $304,757
 $126,231
 $
 $2,965,848
Intersegment revenue
 116,439
 
 
 (116,439) 
Revenue$2,313,717
 $337,582
 $304,757
 $126,231
 $(116,439) $2,965,848
Adjusted EBITDA737,121
 (8,435) 125,939
 20,444
 (165,804) 709,265
Depreciation(78,339) (2,168) (10,707) (10,968) (53,962) (156,144)
Amortization of intangible assets
 
 
 
 (71,011) (71,011)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 (6,279) (6,279)
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other
 
 
 
 1,499
 1,499
Restructuring and related reorganization charges
 
 
 
 (3,983) (3,983)
Realized (gain) loss on revenue hedges8,381
 
 
 
 
 8,381
Operating income (loss)$667,163
 $(10,603) $115,232
 $9,476
 $(299,540) 481,728
Other expense, net          (66,297)
Income before income taxes          415,431
Provision for income taxes          (66,078)
Net income          349,353
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests       2,885
Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc.         $352,238

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Three Months Ended September 30, 2016Three months ended September 30, 2018
Core OTA trivago HomeAway Egencia Corporate &
Eliminations
 TotalCore OTA trivago HomeAway Egencia Corporate &
Eliminations
 Total
(In thousands)(In millions)
Third-party revenue$2,083,393
 $175,953
 $209,797
 $111,762
 $
 $2,580,905
$2,527
 $200
 $410
 $139
 $
 $3,276
Intersegment revenue
 100,520
 
 
 (100,520) 

 95
 
 
 (95) 
Revenue$2,083,393
 $276,473
 $209,797
 $111,762
 $(100,520) $2,580,905
$2,527
 $295
 $410
 $139
 $(95) $3,276
Adjusted EBITDA$713,849
 $5,725
 $77,342
 $18,155
 $(148,383) $666,688
$837
 $31
 $209
 $19
 $(184) $912
Depreciation(65,251) (2,622) (4,954) (8,342) (42,386) (123,555)(88) (4) (17) (12) (50) (171)
Amortization of intangible assets
 
 
 
 (74,939) (74,939)
 
 
 
 (71) (71)
Impairment of intangible assets
 
 
 
 (2,141) (2,141)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 (48,263) (48,263)
 
 
 
 (54) (54)
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other
 
 
 
 (22,332) (22,332)
 
 
 
 78
 78
Restructuring and related reorganization charges, excluding stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 (5,591) (5,591)
Realized (gain) loss on revenue hedges(3,715) 
 
 
 
 (3,715)(21) 
 (1) 
 
 (22)
Operating income (loss)$644,883
 $3,103
 $72,388
 $9,813
 $(344,035) 386,152
$728
 $27
 $191
 $7
 $(281) 672
Other expense, net          (46,597)          (60)
Income before income taxes          339,555
          612
Provision for income taxes          (60,627)          (81)
Net income          278,928
          531
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests       403
Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc.         $279,331
Net income attributable to non-controlling interestsNet income attributable to non-controlling interests       (6)
Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.       $525

20
 Three months ended September 30, 2017
 Core OTA trivago HomeAway Egencia Corporate &
Eliminations
 Total
 (In millions)
Third-party revenue$2,314
 $221
 $305
 $126
 $
 $2,966
Intersegment revenue
 117
 
 
 (117) 
Revenue$2,314
 $338
 $305
 $126
 $(117) $2,966
Adjusted EBITDA$734
 $(8) $126
 $20
 $(163) $709
Depreciation(79) (2) (11) (11) (53) (156)
Amortization of intangible assets
 
 
 
 (71) (71)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 (7) (7)
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other
 
 
 
 1
 1
Restructuring and related reorganization charges
 
 
 
 (4) (4)
Realized (gain) loss on revenue hedges9
 
 
 
 
 9
Operating income (loss)$664
 $(10) $115
 $9
 $(297) 481
Other expense, net          (66)
Income before income taxes          415
Provision for income taxes          (66)
Net income          349
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests       3
Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.       $352

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Nine months ended September 30, 2017Nine months ended September 30, 2018
Core OTA trivago HomeAway Egencia Corporate &
Eliminations
 TotalCore OTA trivago HomeAway Egencia Corporate &
Eliminations
 Total
(In thousands)(In millions)
Third-party revenue$6,022,651
 $620,545
 $713,833
 $383,607
 $
 $7,740,636
$6,706
 $571
 $941
 $446
 $
 $8,664
Intersegment revenue
 330,905
 
 
 (330,905) 

 323
 
 
 (323) 
Revenue$6,022,651
 $951,450
 $713,833
 $383,607
 $(330,905) $7,740,636
$6,706
 $894
 $941
 $446
 $(323) $8,664
Adjusted EBITDA$1,531,355
 $13,854
 $171,105
 $75,122
 $(481,401) $1,310,035
$1,721
 $(17) $266
 $76
 $(547) $1,499
Depreciation(225,391) (5,969) (27,212) (30,477) (159,695) (448,744)(256) (11) (46) (35) (159) (507)
Amortization of intangible assets
 
 
 
 (203,966) (203,966)
 
 
 
 (215) (215)
Impairment of goodwill
 
 
 
 (61) (61)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 (103,592) (103,592)
 
 
 
 (154) (154)
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other
 
 
 
 (22,956) (22,956)
 
 
 
 74
 74
Restructuring and related reorganization charges
 
 
 
 (15,590) (15,590)
Realized (gain) loss on revenue hedges(3,524) 
 
 
 
 (3,524)(17) 
 (1) 
 
 (18)
Operating income (loss)$1,302,440
 $7,885
 $143,893
 $44,645
 $(987,200) 511,663
$1,448
 $(28) $219
 $41
 $(1,062) 618
Other expense, net          (170,805)          (189)
Income before income taxesIncome before income taxes         340,858
          429
Provision for income taxes          (22,374)          (56)
Net income          318,484
          373
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interestsNet loss attributable to non-controlling interests       4,321
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests       16
Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc.       $322,805
Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.       $389
Nine months ended September 30, 2016Nine months ended September 30, 2017
Core OTA trivago HomeAway Egencia Corporate &
Eliminations
 TotalCore OTA trivago HomeAway Egencia Corporate &
Eliminations
 Total
(In thousands)(In millions)
Third-party revenue$5,388,178
 $422,852
 $523,588
 $346,117
 $
 $6,680,735
$6,022
 $621
 $714
 $384
 $
 $7,741
Intersegment revenue
 230,314
 
 
 (230,314) 

 331
 
 
 (331) 
Revenue$5,388,178
 $653,166
 $523,588
 $346,117
 $(230,314) $6,680,735
$6,022
 $952
 $714
 $384
 $(331) $7,741
Adjusted EBITDA$1,434,424
 $20,466
 $132,926
 $59,986
 $(473,665) $1,174,137
$1,523
 $14
 $171
 $76
 $(474) $1,310
Depreciation(186,308) (5,593) (12,721) (23,267) (116,944) (344,833)(226) (6) (27) (30) (160) (449)
Amortization of intangible assets
 
 
 
 (249,119) (249,119)
 
 
 
 (204) (204)
Impairment of intangible assets
 
 
 
 (2,141) (2,141)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 (197,602) (197,602)
 
 
 
 (104) (104)
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other
 
 
 
 (28,650) (28,650)
 
 
 
 (23) (23)
Restructuring and related reorganization charges, excluding stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 (33,584) (33,584)
Restructuring and related reorganization charges
 
 
 
 (16) (16)
Realized (gain) loss on revenue hedges(3,692) 
 
 
 
 (3,692)(3) 
 
 
 
 (3)
Operating income (loss)$1,244,424
 $14,873
 $120,205
 $36,719
 $(1,101,705) 314,516
$1,294
 $8
 $144
 $46
 $(981) 511
Other expense, net          (153,042)          (170)
Income before income taxes          161,474
          341
Provision for income taxes          14,929
          (22)
Net income          176,403
          319
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interestsNet loss attributable to non-controlling interests       25,988
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests       4
Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc.         $202,391
Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.       $323


2125

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
 



Note 1210 – Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Supplemental Financial Information
Condensed consolidating financial information of Expedia Group, Inc. (the “Parent”), our subsidiaries that are guarantors of our debt facility and instruments (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”), and our subsidiaries that are not guarantors of our debt facility and instruments (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”) is shown below. The debt facility and instruments are guaranteed by certain of our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The guarantees are full, unconditional, and joint and several with the exception of certain customary automatic subsidiary release provisions. In this financial information, the Parent and Guarantor Subsidiaries account for investments in their wholly-owned subsidiaries using the equity method.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Three months ended September 30, 2017
2018
Parent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations ConsolidatedParent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
(In thousands)(In millions)
Revenue$
 $2,227,363
 $856,241
 $(117,756) $2,965,848
$
 $2,503
 $869
 $(96) $3,276
Costs and expenses:                  
Cost of revenue
 347,447
 115,751
 (4,639) 458,559

 362
 147
 (5) 504
Selling and marketing
 1,012,045
 561,794
 (113,132) 1,460,707

 1,096
 496
 (91) 1,501
Technology and content
 250,460
 99,601
 
 350,061

 287
 117
 
 404
General and administrative
 72,498
 68,785
 15
 141,298

 129
 73
 
 202
Amortization of intangible assets
 45,009
 26,002
 
 71,011

 44
 27
 
 71
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other
 (1,499) 
 
 (1,499)
 (78) 
 
 (78)
Restructuring and related reorganization charges
 1,266
 2,717
 
 3,983
Intercompany (income) expense, net
 204,903
 (204,903) 
 

 239
 (239) 
 
Operating income
 295,234
 186,494
 
 481,728

 424
 248
 
 672
Other income (expense):                  
Equity in pre-tax earnings of consolidated subsidiaries379,632
 162,089
 
 (541,721) 
560
 204
 
 (764) 
Other, net(43,448) (32,138) 9,289
 
 (66,297)(46) (13) (1) 
 (60)
Total other income (expense), net336,184
 129,951
 9,289
 (541,721) (66,297)514
 191
 (1) (764) (60)
Income before income taxes336,184
 425,185
 195,783
 (541,721) 415,431
514
 615
��247
 (764) 612
Provision for income taxes16,054
 (42,975) (39,157) 
 (66,078)11
 (55) (37) 
 (81)
Net income352,238
 382,210
 156,626
 (541,721) 349,353
525
 560
 210
 (764) 531
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests
 
 2,885
 
 2,885
Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc.$352,238
 $382,210
 $159,511
 $(541,721) $352,238
Comprehensive income attributable to Expedia, Inc.$416,605
 $461,760
 $261,118
 $(722,878) $416,605
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests
 1
 (7) 
 (6)
Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.$525
 $561
 $203
 $(764) $525
Comprehensive income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.$514
 $545
 $186
 $(731) $514

2226

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
 



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Three months ended September 30, 2016
2017
Parent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations ConsolidatedParent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
(In thousands)(In millions)
Revenue$
 $1,989,806
 $696,558
 $(105,459) $2,580,905
$
 $2,227
 $857
 $(118) $2,966
Costs and expenses:                  
Cost of revenue
 333,872
 86,609
 (3,574) 416,907

 348
 116
 (5) 459
Selling and marketing
 848,930
 457,559
 (101,968) 1,204,521

 1,012
 562
 (113) 1,461
Technology and content
 220,809
 80,567
 70
 301,446

 250
 100
 
 350
General and administrative
 117,924
 47,892
 13
 165,829

 72
 69
 
 141
Amortization of intangible assets
 54,169
 20,770
 
 74,939

 45
 26
 
 71
Impairment of intangible assets
 
 2,141
 
 2,141
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other
 22,332
 
 
 22,332

 (1) 
 
 (1)
Restructuring and related reorganization charges
 4,358
 2,280
 
 6,638

 1
 3
 
 4
Intercompany (income) expense, net
 128,787
 (128,787) 
 

 205
 (205) 
 
Operating income
 258,625
 127,527
 
 386,152

 295
 186
 
 481
Other income (expense):                  
Equity in pre-tax earnings of consolidated subsidiaries305,307
 115,361
 
 (420,668) 
380
 162
 
 (542) 
Other, net(41,199) (18,905) 13,507
 
 (46,597)(44) (32) 10
 
 (66)
Total other income (loss), net264,108
 96,456
 13,507
 (420,668) (46,597)
Total other income (expense), net336
 130
 10
 (542) (66)
Income before income taxes264,108
 355,081
 141,034
 (420,668) 339,555
336
 425
 196
 (542) 415
Provision for income taxes15,223
 (47,643) (28,207) 
 (60,627)16
 (43) (39) 
 (66)
Net income279,331
 307,438
 112,827
 (420,668) 278,928
352
 382
 157
 (542) 349
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests
 
 403
 
 403

 
 3
 
 3
Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc.$279,331
 $307,438
 $113,230
 $(420,668) $279,331
Comprehensive income attributable to Expedia, Inc.$271,785
 $303,969
 $109,258
 $(413,227) $271,785
Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.$352
 $382
 $160
 $(542) $352
Comprehensive income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.$417
 $462
 $261
 $(723) $417

2327

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
 




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Nine months endedMonths Ended September 30, 20172018
 Parent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
 (In thousands)
Revenue$
 $5,874,289
 $2,201,332
 $(334,985) $7,740,636
Costs and expenses:         
Cost of revenue
 1,017,582
 314,184
 (12,513) 1,319,253
Selling and marketing
 2,919,254
 1,577,429
 (322,509) 4,174,174
Technology and content
 736,820
 277,819
 (8) 1,014,631
General and administrative
 292,706
 185,652
 45
 478,403
Amortization of intangible assets
 136,812
 67,154
 
 203,966
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other
 22,956
 
 
 22,956
Restructuring and related reorganization charges
 4,679
 10,911
 
 15,590
Intercompany (income) expense, net
 591,165
 (591,165) 
 
Operating income
 152,315
 359,348
 
 511,663
Other income (expense):         
Equity in pre-tax earnings of consolidated subsidiaries403,375
 330,799
 
 (734,174) 
Other, net(127,787) (77,793) 34,775
 
 (170,805)
Total other income (expense), net275,588
 253,006
 34,775
 (734,174) (170,805)
Income before income taxes275,588
 405,321
 394,123
 (734,174) 340,858
Provision for income taxes47,217
 9,234
 (78,825) 
 (22,374)
Net income322,805
 414,555
 315,298
 (734,174) 318,484
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests
 
 4,321
 
 4,321
Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc.$322,805
 $414,555
 $319,619
 $(734,174) $322,805
Comprehensive income attributable to Expedia, Inc.$479,231
 $623,868
 $550,984
 $(1,174,852) $479,231



 Parent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
 (In millions)
Revenue$
 $6,643
 $2,348
 $(327) $8,664
Costs and expenses:         
Cost of revenue
 1,094
 410
 (15) 1,489
Selling and marketing
 3,256
 1,614
 (312) 4,558
Technology and content
 847
 353
 
 1,200
General and administrative
 375
 222
 
 597
Amortization of intangible assets
 134
 81
 
 215
Impairment of goodwill
 
 61
 
 61
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other
 (75) 1
 
 (74)
Intercompany (income) expense, net
 654
 (654) 
 
Operating income
 358
 260
 
 618
Other income (expense):         
Equity in pre-tax earnings (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries501
 223
 
 (724) 
Other, net(146) (22) (21) 
 (189)
Total other income (expense), net355
 201
 (21) (724) (189)
Income before income taxes355
 559
 239
 (724) 429
Provision for income taxes34
 (54) (36) 
 (56)
Net income389
 505
 203
 (724) 373
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests
 2
 14
 
 16
Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.$389
 $507
 $217
 $(724) $389
Comprehensive income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.$339
 $435
 $147
 $(582) $339

2428

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
 



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Nine months endedMonths Ended September 30, 20162017
 Parent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
 (In thousands)
Revenue$
 $5,159,351
 $1,754,111
 $(232,727) $6,680,735
Costs and expenses:         
Cost of revenue
 974,040
 261,545
 (9,728) 1,225,857
Selling and marketing
 2,367,393
 1,254,774
 (223,305) 3,398,862
Technology and content
 659,532
 251,148
 241
 910,921
General and administrative
 319,156
 185,174
 65
 504,395
Amortization of intangible assets
 169,988
 79,131
 
 249,119
Impairment of intangible assets
 
 2,141
 
 2,141
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other
 28,650
 
 
 28,650
Restructuring and related reorganization charges
 28,135
 18,139
 
 46,274
Intercompany (income) expense, net
 497,160
 (497,160) 
 
Operating income
 115,297
 199,219
 
 314,516
Other income (expense):         
Equity in pre-tax earnings of consolidated subsidiaries280,012
 210,051
 
 (490,063) 
Other, net(123,110) (51,294) 21,362
 
 (153,042)
Total other income (loss), net156,902
 158,757
 21,362
 (490,063) (153,042)
Income before income taxes156,902
 274,054
 220,581
 (490,063) 161,474
Provision for income taxes45,489
 13,556
 (44,116) 
 14,929
Net income202,391
 287,610
 176,465
 (490,063) 176,403
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests
 
 25,988
 
 25,988
Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc.$202,391
 $287,610
 $202,453
 $(490,063) $202,391
Comprehensive income attributable to Expedia, Inc.$180,173
 $277,161
 $165,262
 $(442,423) $180,173

 Parent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
 (In millions)
Revenue$
 $5,874
 $2,202
 $(335) $7,741
Costs and expenses:         
Cost of revenue
 1,018
 315
 (13) 1,320
Selling and marketing
 2,919
 1,577
 (322) 4,174
Technology and content
 737
 278
 
 1,015
General and administrative
 292
 186
 
 478
Amortization of intangible assets
 137
 67
 
 204
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other
 23
 
 
 23
Restructuring and related reorganization charges
 5
 11
 
 16
Intercompany (income) expense, net
 591
 (591) 
 
Operating income
 152
 359
 
 511
Other income (expense):         
Equity in pre-tax earnings of consolidated subsidiaries403
 331
 
 (734) 
Other, net(128) (77) 35
 
 (170)
Total other income (expense), net275
 254
 35
 (734) (170)
Income before income taxes275
 406
 394
 (734) 341
Provision for income taxes48
 9
 (79) 
 (22)
Net income323
 415
 315
 (734) 319
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests
 
 4
 
 4
Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.$323
 $415
 $319
 $(734) $323
Comprehensive income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc.$480
 $624
 $551
 $(1,175) $480


2529

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
September 30, 20172018
Parent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations ConsolidatedParent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
(In thousands)(In millions)
ASSETS                  
Total current assets$340,976
 $3,833,431
 $2,403,496
 $(594,101) $5,983,802
$392
 $5,990
 $2,411
 $(2,621) $6,172
Investment in subsidiaries10,199,706
 4,243,396
 
 (14,443,102) 
10,595
 3,378
 
 (13,973) 
Intangible assets, net
 1,780,868
 596,729
 
 2,377,597

 1,620
 481
 
 2,101
Goodwill
 6,369,003
 1,857,170
 
 8,226,173

 6,390
 1,767
 
 8,157
Other assets, net4,107
 1,670,938
 785,430
 (12,815) 2,447,660

 1,757
 801
 153
 2,711
TOTAL ASSETS$10,544,789
 $17,897,636
 $5,642,825
 $(15,050,018) $19,035,232
$10,987
 $19,135
 $5,460
 $(16,441) $19,141
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                  
Total current liabilities$593,743
 $7,187,492
 $1,085,422
 $(594,101) $8,272,556
$1,333
 $8,197
 $1,854
 $(2,621) $8,763
Long-term debt3,735,736
 
 
 
 3,735,736
Other liabilities
 543,894
 258,082
 (12,815) 789,161
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities3,727
 
 
 
 3,727
Other long-term liabilities
 273
 279
 153
 705
Redeemable non-controlling interests
 10,518
 11,951
 
 22,469

 8
 11
 
 19
Stockholders’ equity6,215,310
 10,155,732
 4,287,370
 (14,443,102) 6,215,310
5,927
 10,657
 3,316
 (13,973) 5,927
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY$10,544,789
 $17,897,636
 $5,642,825
 $(15,050,018) $19,035,232
$10,987
 $19,135
 $5,460
 $(16,441) $19,141
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 20162017
 Parent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
 (In millions)
ASSETS         
Total current assets$359
 $3,493
 $2,263
 $(575) $5,540
Investment in subsidiaries10,265
 4,249
 
 (14,514) 
Intangible assets, net
 1,736
 573
 
 2,309
Goodwill
 6,366
 1,863
 
 8,229
Other assets, net5
 1,677
 775
 (19) 2,438
TOTAL ASSETS$10,629
 $17,521
 $5,474
 $(15,108) $18,516
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY         
Total current liabilities$751
 $6,798
 $905
 $(575) $7,879
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities3,749
 
 
 
 3,749
Other long-term liabilities
 494
 262
 (19) 737
Redeemable non-controlling interests
 9
 13
 
 22
Stockholders’ equity6,129
 10,220
 4,294
 (14,514) 6,129
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY$10,629
 $17,521
 $5,474
 $(15,108) $18,516


30

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
 Parent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
 (In thousands)
ASSETS         
Total current assets$293,759
 $2,535,711
 $1,829,191
 $(1,208,410) $3,450,251
Investment in subsidiaries9,536,273
 3,410,687
 
 (12,946,960) 
Intangible assets, net
 1,921,519
 525,133
 
 2,446,652
Goodwill
 6,392,479
 1,549,544
 
 7,942,023
Other assets, net4,107
 1,608,218
 331,818
 (5,523) 1,938,620
TOTAL ASSETS$9,834,139
 $15,868,614
 $4,235,686
 $(14,160,893) $15,777,546
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY         
Total current liabilities$981,700
 $5,733,755
 $620,153
 $(1,208,410) $6,127,198
Long-term debt3,159,336
 
 
 
 3,159,336
Other liabilities
 629,634
 173,798
 (5,523) 797,909
Stockholders’ equity5,693,103
 9,505,225
 3,441,735
 (12,946,960) 5,693,103
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY$9,834,139
 $15,868,614
 $4,235,686
 $(14,160,893) $15,777,546

 Parent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Consolidated
 (In millions)
Operating activities:       
Net cash provided by operating activities$
 $1,509
 $611
 $2,120
Investing activities:       
Capital expenditures, including internal-use software and website development
 (533) (101) (634)
Purchases of investments
 (1,714) 
 (1,714)
Sales and maturities of investments
 1,618
 74
 1,692
Acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired
 (40) 
 (40)
Transfers (to) from related parties
 (60) 60
 
Other, net
 39
 2
 41
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 (690) 35
 (655)
Financing activities:       
Payment of long-term debt(500) 
 
 (500)
Purchases of treasury stock(620) 
 
 (620)
Payment of dividends to stockholders(138) 
 
 (138)
Proceeds from exercise of equity awards and employee stock purchase plan138
 
 
 138
Transfers (to) from related parties1,092
 (666) (426) 
Other, net28
 1
 (63) (34)
Net cash used in financing activities
 (665) (489) (1,154)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents
 (55) (64) (119)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents
 99
 93
 192
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
 1,321
 1,596
 2,917
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of the period$
 $1,420
 $1,689
 $3,109

2631

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 Parent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Consolidated
 (In thousands)
Operating activities:       
Net cash provided by operating activities$
 $1,316,665
 $605,360
 $1,922,025
Investing activities:       
Capital expenditures, including internal-use software and website development
 (378,384) (147,212) (525,596)
Purchases of investments
 (1,157,533) (555,662) (1,713,195)
Sales and maturities of investments
 757,856
 163,024
 920,880
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 (169,490) (803) (170,293)
Transfers (to) from related parties
 (5,031) 5,031
 
Other, net
 1,676
 6,350
 8,026
Net cash used in investing activities
 (950,906) (529,272) (1,480,178)
Financing activities:       
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs992,470
 
 
 992,470
Purchases of treasury stock(154,050) 
 
 (154,050)
Payment of dividends to stockholders(130,263) 
 
 (130,263)
Proceeds from exercise of equity awards179,982
 
 49
 180,031
Transfers (to) from related parties(882,740) 763,262
 119,478
 
Other, net(5,399) (12,966) (9,311) (27,676)
Net provided by financing activities
 750,296
 110,216
 860,512
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 38,764
 101,952
 140,716
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 1,154,819
 288,256
 1,443,075
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
 425,471
 1,371,340
 1,796,811
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period$
 $1,580,290
 $1,659,596
 $3,239,886

27

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Parent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 ConsolidatedParent 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Consolidated
(In thousands)(In millions)
Operating activities:              
Net cash provided by operating activities$
 $1,094,505
 $449,173
 $1,543,678
$
 $1,316
 $630
 $1,946
Investing activities:              
Capital expenditures, including internal-use software and website development
 (474,982) (92,062) (567,044)
 (379) (147) (526)
Transfers (to) from related parties
 (172,731) 172,731
 
Purchases of investments
 
 (20,446) (20,446)
 (1,157) (556) (1,713)
Sales and maturities of investments
 28,257
 3,380
 31,637

 758
 163
 921
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
 (777) (777)
Acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired
 (168) (1) (169)
Transfers (to) from related parties
 (5) 5
 
Other, net
 (30,158) (2,135) (32,293)
 2
 6
 8
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 (649,614) 60,691
 (588,923)
Net cash used in investing activities
 (949) (530) (1,479)
Financing activities:              
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs(1,792) 
 
 (1,792)992
 
 
 992
Payment of HomeAway Convertible Notes
 (401,424) 
 (401,424)
Purchases of treasury stock(366,723) 
 
 (366,723)(154) 
 
 (154)
Payment of dividends to stockholders(111,009) 
 
 (111,009)(130) 
 
 (130)
Proceeds from exercise of equity awards103,760
 
 
 103,760
Proceeds from exercise of equity awards and employee stock purchase plan180
 
 
 180
Transfers (to) from related parties377,321
 (126,989) (250,332) 
(883) 763
 120
 
Other, net(1,557) (8,038) (28,514) (38,109)(5) (13) (9) (27)
Net cash used in financing activities
 (536,451) (278,846) (815,297)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 15,920
 12,798
 28,718
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 (75,640) 243,816
 168,176
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 841,696
 834,603
 1,676,299
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$
 $766,056
 $1,078,419
 $1,844,475
Net cash provided by financing activities
 750
 111
 861
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents
 39
 103
 142
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents
 1,156
 314
 1,470
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 442
 1,376
 1,818
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period$
 $1,598
 $1,690
 $3,288


Part I. 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 the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect the views of our management regarding current expectations and projections about future events and are based on currently available information. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” as well as those discussed elsewhere in this report. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The use of words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans” and “believes,” among others, generally identify forward-looking statements; however, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. We are not under any obligation to, and do not intend to, publicly update or review any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized. Please carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this report and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, prospects and results of operations.
The information included in this management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes included in this Quarterly Report, and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
Overview
Expedia Inc.Group is one of world's largest travel companies. We help knock down the barriers to travel, making it easier, more enjoyable, more attainable and more accessible. We bring the world within reach for customers and partners around the globe. We leverage our platform and technology capabilities across an onlineextensive portfolio of businesses and brands to orchestrate the movement of people and the delivery of travel company, empowering businessexperiences on both a local and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to efficiently research, plan, book and experience travel. We created a global travel marketplace used by a broad range of leisure and corporate travelers, offline retail travel agents and travel service providers.basis. We make available, on a stand-alone and package basis, travel products and services provided by numerous airlines, lodging properties, airlines, car rental companies, destination service providers, cruise lines, vacation rental property owners and managers, and other travel product and service companies. We also offer travel and non-travel advertisers access to a potential source of incremental traffic and transactions through our various media and advertising offerings on our transaction-based websites.
Our portfolio of brands includes Expedia.com®Brand Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia® Partner Solutions, Egencia®, trivago®, HomeAway®, VRBO®, Hotels.com®Orbitz®, Expedia® Affiliate Network (“EAN”)Travelocity®, trivago®Wotif®, HomeAway, Egencia®lastminute.com.au®, Orbitz®ebookers®, Travelocity®CheapTickets®, Hotwire.com™, Wotif Group, CheapTickets®, ebookers®Hotwire®, Classic Vacations®Vacations®, CarRentals.com™, SilverRail Technologies, Inc. ("SilverRail")Expedia Group™ Media Solutions, CarRentals.com™, Expedia Local ExpertExpert®, Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®, SilverRail™, ALICE® and Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®Traveldoo®. In addition, many of these brands have related international points of sale, including those as part of AirAsia Expedia.sale. For additional information about our portfolio of brands, see “Portfolio of Brands” in Part I, Item 1, “Business,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
All percentages within this section are calculated on actual, unrounded numbers.
Trends
The travel industry, including offline agencies, online agencies and other suppliers of travel products and services, has historically been characterized by intense competition, as well as rapid and significant change. Generally, 20152016 and 20162017 represented years of continuing improvement for the travel industry. However, political instability, geopolitical conflicts, acts of terrorism, significant fluctuations in currency values, sovereign debt issues, natural disasters and macroeconomic concerns are examples of events that contribute to a somewhat uncertain environment, which could have a negative impact on the travel industry in the future.
Online Travel
Increased usage and familiarity with the internet have drivenare driving rapid growth in online penetration of travel expenditures. According to Phocuswright, an independent travel, tourism and hospitality research firm, in 2016,2018, over 50%45% of U.S. and European leisure and unmanaged and corporate travel expenditures occurredare expected to occur online. Online penetration rates in the

emerging markets, such as Asia Pacific and Latin American regions, are lagging behind that of the United States and Europe, and are

estimated to be in the range of 30%between 35% to 40%. These penetration rates have increased over the past few years, and are expected to continue growing, which has attracted many competitors to online travel. This competition intensified in recent years, and the industry is expected to remain highly competitive for the foreseeable future. In addition to the growth of online travel agencies, airlines and lodging companies have aggressively pursued direct online distribution of their products and services. Competitive entrants such as “metasearch” companies, including Kayak.com (owned by The Priceline Group)Booking Holdings), trivago (in which Expedia Group owns a majority interest) as well as TripAdvisor, introduced differentiated features, pricing and content compared with the legacy online travel agency companies, as well as various forms of direct or assisted booking tools, the impact of which is currently uncertain.tools. In addition, the increasing popularity of the “sharing economy,” accelerated by online penetration, has had a direct impact onis directly impacting the travel and lodging industry. Players such as Airbnb, and HomeAway (which Expediawe acquired in December 2015) and Booking.com (owned by Booking Holdings) emerged as the leaders, bringing incremental alternative accommodation and vacation rental inventory to the market. Many other competitors, including vacation rental metasearch players, continue to emerge in this space, which is estimated by analystsPhocuswright to account for approximately $100$120 billion of annual travel spend and expected to continue to grow as a percentage of the global accommodation market. Furthermore, we sawsee increased interest in the online travel industry from search engine companies as evidenced by recent innovations including direct booking functionality, as well as licensing deals and proposed and actual acquisitions by companies such as Google. Finally, traditional consumer e-commerceeCommerce and group buying websites expanded their local offerings into the travel market by adding hotel offers to their sites.websites.
The online travel industry also saw the development of alternative business models and variations in the timing of payment by travelers and to suppliers, which in some cases place pressure on historical business models. In particular, the agency hotel model saw rapid adoption in Europe. Expedia Group distributes both merchant (Expedia Collect) and agency (Hotel Collect) hotel offerings for our hotel supply partners through both agency-only contracts as well as our hybrid Expedia Traveler Preference ("ETP")(ETP) program, which offers travelers the choice of whether to pay Expedia Group at the time of booking or pay the hotel at the time of stay.
Intense competition also historically led to aggressive marketing efforts by the travel suppliers and intermediaries, and a meaningful unfavorable impact on our overall marketing efficiencies and operating margins. We manage our selling and marketing spending on a brand basis, making decisions in each applicable market that we think are appropriate based on the relative growth opportunity and the expected returns and the competitive environment. In certain cases, particularly in emerging markets, we are pursuing and expect to continue to pursue long-term growth opportunities for which our marketing efficiency is less favorable than that for our consolidated business, but for which we still believe the opportunity to be attractive. The crowded online travel environment is now driving certain secondary and tertiary online travel companies to establish marketing agreements with global players in order to leverage distribution and technology capabilities while focusing resources on capturing traveler mind share.
In May 2015, Expedia sold its 62.4% equity stake in eLong for approximately $671 million to several purchasers including Ctrip.com International, Ltd (“Ctrip”). Expedia and Ctrip also reached agreement on cooperation for certain travel products in specified geographic markets. The transaction closed on May 22, 2015. Unless otherwise noted, all discussion in the “Trends” and “Growth Strategy” sections refers to results for Expedia, Inc. excluding eLong.
Lodging
Lodging includes hotel accommodations as well as alternative accommodations primarily made available through HomeAway. As a percentage of our total worldwide revenue in the first three quartersnine months of 2017,2018, lodging accounted for 68%69%. Our room night growth has been healthy, with room nights excluding eLong growing 36% in 2015, 32% in 2016 (excluding eLong), 16% in 2017, and 17%13% for the first three quartersnine months of 2017.2018. ADRs for rooms booked on Expedia Group and HomeAway sites excluding eLong declinedwebsites increased 5% in 2015, increased 11% in 2016 (excluding eLong) due to the acquisition of HomeAway, 3% in 2017, and increased 3% for6% in the first three quartersnine months of 2017.2018.
Hotel. We generate the majority of our revenue through the facilitation of hotel reservations (stand-alone and package bookings). Although our relationships with our hotel supply partners have remained broadly stable in the past few years, as part of the global rollout of ETP, we reduced negotiated economics in certain instances to compensate for hotel supply partners absorbing expenses such as credit card fees and customer service costs, which has negatively impacted the margin of revenue we earn per booking. In addition, as we continue to expand the breadth and depth of our global hotel offering, in some cases we have reduced our economics in various geographies based on local market conditions. These impacts are due to specific initiatives intended to drive greater global size and scale through faster overall room night growth. Additionally, increased promotional activities such as growing loyalty programs contribute to declines in revenue per room night and profitability. Lastly, currency exchange rate fluctuations have had a negative effect on unit economics due to unfavorable book-to-stay as well as translation impacts.
Since our hotel supplier agreements are generally negotiated on a percentage basis, any increase or decrease in ADRs has an impact on the revenue we earn per room night. Over the course of the last several years, occupancies and ADRs in the lodging industry generally increased on a currency-neutral basis in a gradually improving overall travel environment. However,

U.S. dollar-denominated hotel ADRs declined in 2015 and 2016, due to the currency translation impact, and increased in the first three quarters of 2017. Current occupancy rates for hotels in the United States remain high; however, U.S. hotel supply growth has been accelerating, which may put additional pressure on ADRs. In international markets, hotel supply is being added at a faster rate as hotel owners and operators try to take advantage of opportunities in faster growing regions such as Asia and certain Latin American markets. Companies like Airbnb, HomeAway and HomeAwayBooking.com also added incremental global supply in the alternative accommodations space. In addition, while the global lodging industry remains very fragmented, there has been consolidation in the hotel space among chains as well as ownership groups. In the meantime, certain hotel chains have been focusing on driving direct bookings

on their own websites and mobile applications by advertising lower rates than those available on third-party websites as well as incentives such as loyalty points, increased or exclusive product availability and complimentary Wi-Fi. We have had successsucceeded in adding supply to our marketplace with over 500,000more than 895,000 properties on our global websites as of September 30, 2017,2018, including approximately 95,000more than 300,000 integrated HomeAway vacation rental propertieslistings now available on Expedia.com.select Brand Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, CheapTickets and ebookers websites.
Alternative Accommodations.With our acquisition of HomeAway and all of its brands in December 2015, we expanded into the fast growing $100$120 billion alternative accommodations market. HomeAway is a leader in this market and represents an attractive growth opportunity for Expedia.Expedia Group. HomeAway has been undergoing a transition from a listings-based classified advertising model to an online transactional model that optimizes for both travelers and homeowner and property manager partners, with a goal of increasing monetization and driving growth through investments in marketing as well as in product and technology. In addition, HomeAway rolled out a traveler service fee in the United States and Europe during the first half of 2016, consistent with historical market practice. The fee is expected to continue to contributehas contributed to HomeAway’s revenue growth and help fund marketing investment, programs to better protect travelers and future growth initiatives. Furthermore, HomeAway moved to a single subscription option globally in July 2016. In the first quarter of 2017, HomeAway began integrating Expedia Group vacation rental properties onto its sites. Combined with HomeAway's existing inventory,websites. As of September 30, 2018, there are nearly 1.51.8 million online bookable listingsavailable on HomeAway.
Air
Significant airline sector consolidation in the United States in recent years generally resulted in lower overall capacity and higher fares, which combined with the significant declines in fuel prices led to record levels of profitability for the U.S. air carriers, further strengthening their position. However, in 2015 and 2016 and for the first three quarters of 2017, there has beenwas evidence of discounting by the U.S. carriers while currency headwinds and weaker macroeconomic trends put pressure on international results.results, which appear to be reversing during the first nine months of 2018. Ticket prices on Expedia sites excluding eLongGroup websites declined 11% in 2015, 6% in 2016 (excluding eLong), declined 1% in 2017, and 1%increased 3% in the first three quartersnine months of 2017 as short-haul traffic2018. Based on airline reports, demand for airline tickets seems to be strong, helping increase air revenues globally. There is significant correlation between airline revenues and low cost carriers grew alongside increasingly competitive airline pricing.fuel prices, and fluctuations in fuel prices generally take time to be reflected in air revenues. Given current volatility, it is uncertain whether the recent increases in fuel prices will drive further increases in airfares, particularly when considering planned supply increases through capacity additions. We can encounter pressure on air remuneration as air carriers combine and as certain supply agreements renew, and continue to add airlines to ensure local coverage in new markets.
Air ticket volumes excluding eLong increased 35% in 2015 and 32% in 2016 (excluding eLong), primarily due to the acquisition of Orbitz, 4% in 2017, and 5%4% in the first three quartersnine months of 2017.2018. As a percentage of our total worldwide revenue in the first three quartersnine months of 2017,2018, air accounted for 8%.
Advertising & Media
Our advertising and media business is principally driven by revenue generated by trivago, a leading hotel metasearch site, in addition towebsite, as well as Expedia Group Media Solutions, which is responsible for generating advertising revenue on our global online travel brands. In the first three quartersnine months of 2017,2018, we generated a total of $858 million of advertising and media revenue representing 11%10% of our total worldwide revenue, up from $617 million inconsistent with the first three quartersnine months of 2016.2017.
Growth Strategy
Global Expansion. Our Brand Expedia, Hotels.com, Egencia, and EANExpedia Partner Solutions brands operate both domestically and through international points of sale, including in Europe, Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America. In addition, ebookers offers multi-product online travel reservations in Europe and Wotif Group has a leading portfolio of travel brands, including Wotif.com, Wotif.co.nz, lastminute.com.au, lastminute.com.nz and travel.com.au are focused principally on the Australia and New Zealand markets. Egencia, our corporate travel business, operates in over 6560 countries around the world and continues to expand.world. The HomeAway portfolio has over 5055 vacation rental siteswebsites all around the world. We own a majority share of trivago, a leading hotel metasearch company. Officially launched in 2005, trivago is one of the best known travel brands in Europe and North America. trivago continues to operate independently and rapidly grow revenue through global expansion, including aggressive expansion in new countries. In December 2016, trivago successfully completed its initial public offering and trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "TRVG." In addition, we have commercial agreements in place with Ctrip and eLong in China, Traveloka in Southeast Asia, as well as Decolar.com, Inc.Despegar in Latin America, among many others. In conjunction with the commercial arrangements with Traveloka and Despegar, we have also made strategic investments of over $600 million combined in Traveloka in 2017 and Despegar in 2015. In the first three quartersnine months of 2017,2018, approximately 37%38% of our worldwide gross bookings and 45% of worldwide revenue were through

international points of sale compared to just 21% for both worldwide gross bookings and revenue in 2005. We have a goal of generating more than two-thirds of our revenue through businesses and points of sale outside of the United States.

In expanding our global reach, we leverage significant investments in technology, operations, brand building, supplier relationships and other initiatives that we have made since the launch of Expedia.com in 1996. More recently, we have invested in migrating parts of our technology platform to the cloud, as well as focused on expanding our lodging supply in key focus markets around the world. Our scale of operations enhances the value of technology innovations we introduce on behalf of our travelers and suppliers. We believe that our size and scale afford the company the ability to negotiate competitive rates with our supply partners, provide breadth of choice and travel deals to our traveling customers through an expanding supply portfolio and create opportunities for new value added offers for our customers such as our loyalty programs. The size of Expedia’sExpedia Group’s worldwide traveler base makes our siteswebsites an increasingly appealing channel for travel suppliers to reach customers. In addition, the sheer size of our user base and search query volume allows us to test new technologies very quickly in order to determine which innovations are most likely to improve the travel research and booking process, and then roll those features out to our worldwide audience in order to drive improvements in conversion.
Product Innovation. Each of our leading brands was a pioneer in online travel and has been responsible for driving key innovations in the space for more than two decades. Each Expedia Group technology platform is operated by a dedicated technology team, which drives innovations that make researching and shopping for travel increasingly easier and helps customers find and book the best possible travel options. In the past several years, weWe have made key investments in technology, including significant development of our technical platforms, that makesmake it possible for us to deliver innovations at a faster pace. For example, we launched newImprovements in our global platforms for Hotels.com and Brand Expedia enablingcontinue to enable us to significantly increase the innovation cycle, thereby improving conversion and driving faster growth rates for those brands. In 2013, Expedia signed an agreementSince 2014, we have acquired Travelocity, Wotif Group and Orbitz Worldwide, including Orbitz, CheapTickets and ebookers, and migrated their brands to power the technology, supply and customer service platforms for Travelocity-branded sites in the United States and Canada, enabling Expedia to leverage its investments in each of these key areas. During 2014, the Travelocity-branded sites were successfully migrated to theBrand Expedia technology platform. In November 2014, Expedia completed the acquisition of Wotif Group and subsequently converted the Wotif.com site to the Expedia technology platform. In January 2015, we acquired the Travelocity brand and other associated assets from Sabre. The strategic marketing and other related agreements previously entered into were terminated. In September 2015, Expedia acquired Orbitz Worldwide, including all of its brands. The Orbitz, CheapTickets and ebookers sites were migrated to the Expedia technology platform in the first half of 2016, andaddition, Orbitz for Business customers were migrated to the Egencia technology platform by Julyin 2016. In December 2015, Expediawe acquired HomeAway, Inc., including all of its brands. Additionally, in June 2017, Expedia acquired a majority stake in SilverRail, a leading rail technology distributor. We intend to continue leveraging these technology investments when launching additional points of sale in new countries, introducing new website features, adding supplier products and services including new business model offerings, as well as proprietary and user-generated content for travelers. While we aim to drive the top-line growth in our global brands, we are managing our regional brands, such as Travelocity, Orbitz, Wotif, ebookers and CheapTickets, with a greater focus on profitability.
New Channel PenetrationExpansion. Technological innovations and developments continue to create new opportunities for travel bookings made through mobile devices, in addition to more traditional methods like desktop and laptop computers.bookings. In the past few years, each of our brands made significant progress creating new mobile websites and mobile applications that are receiving strong reviews and solid download trends, and somemany of our brands now see more traffic via mobile devices than via traditional PCs. Mobile bookings continue to present an opportunity for incremental growth as they are often completed within one or two days of the travel or stay, which is a much shorter booking window than we historically experienced via more traditional online booking methods. Additionally, our brands implementedare implementing new technologies like voice-based search, chatbots and messaging apps as mobile-based options for travelers. In addition, we are seeing increasingsignificant cross-device usage among our customers, who connect to our websites and apps across multiple devices and platforms throughout their travel planning process. We also believe mobile represents an efficient marketing channel given the opportunity for direct traffic acquisition, increase in share of wallet and in repeat customers, particularly through mobile applications. During the first three quartersnine months of 2017, approximately2018, more than one in three Expedia Inc.Group transactions globally were booked globally on a mobile device.
Seasonality
We generally experience seasonal fluctuations in the demand for our travel products and services. For example, traditional leisure travel bookings are generally the highest in the first three quarters as travelers plan and book their spring, summer and winter holiday travel. The number of bookings typically decreases in the fourth quarter. Because revenue for most of our travel products,services, including merchant and agency hotel, is recognized whenas the travel takes place rather than when it is booked, revenue typically lags bookings by several weeks for our hotel business and can be several months or longer.more for our vacation rental business. Historically, HomeAway has seen seasonally stronger bookings in the first quarter of the year, with the relevant stays occurring during the peak summer travel months. The seasonal revenue impact is exacerbated with respect to income by the nature of our variable cost of revenue and direct sales and marketing costs, which we typically realize in closer alignment to booking volumes, and the more stable nature of our fixed costs. Furthermore, operating profits for our primary advertising business, trivago, have typically been experienced in the second half of the year, particularly the fourth quarter, as selling and marketing costs offset revenue in the first half of the year as we aggressively markettypically increase marketing during the busy booking period

for spring, summer and winter holiday travel. As a result on a consolidated basis, revenue and income are typically the lowest in the first quarter and highest in the third quarter. The continued growth of our international operations, advertising business or a change in our product mix, including the assimilation and growth of HomeAway, may influence the typical trend of the seasonality in the future, and there may also be business or market driven dynamics that result in short-term impacts to revenue or profitability that differ from the typical seasonal trends. We expect that astrends, including trivago's recent changing marketplace dynamics. As HomeAway continues its shift to more of a transaction-based business model for vacation rental listings and its booking window elongates, its seasonal trends may be somewhatare more pronounced than our other traditional leisure businesses.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that we believe are important in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements because they require that we use judgment and estimates in applying those policies. We prepare our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Preparation of the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements as well as revenue and expenses during the periods reported. We base our estimates on historical experience, where applicable, and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
There are certain critical estimates that we believe require significant judgment in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if:
It requires us to make an assumption because information was not available at the time or it included matters that were highly uncertain at the time we were making the estimate; and
Changes in the estimate or different estimates that we could have selected may have had a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
For additional information about our critical accounting policies and estimates, see the disclosure included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017 as well as updates in the current fiscal year provided in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Occupancy and Other Taxes
Legal Proceedings. We are currently involved in seventeenten lawsuits brought by or against states, cities and counties over issues involving the payment of hotel occupancy and other taxes. We continue to defend these lawsuits vigorously. With respect to the principal claims in these matters, we believe that the statutes and ordinances at issue do not apply to the services we provide, namely the facilitation of hotel reservations, and, therefore, that we do not owe the taxes that are claimed to be owed. We believe that the statutes and ordinances at issue generally impose occupancy and other taxes on entities that own, operate or control hotels (or similar businesses) or furnish or provide hotel rooms or similar accommodations.
Recent developments include:
City and County of San Antonio, TexasFrancisco, California Litigation. On August 29, 2018, the California Supreme Court denied the City of San Francisco’s petition for review. On September 26, 2017,13, 2018, the United States Fifth Circuit CourtCity of Appeals heard argument on the parties’ cross appeals.
Denver, Colorado Litigation. The parties have reached a settlement. On October 13, 2017, the Colorado Court of Appeals granted the parties' motion to dismiss their respective appeals,San Francisco refunded all $78 million in “pay-to-play” amounts previously paid by Expedia Group companies (including Orbitz), along with $19 million in accumulated interest, thereby effectively ending the case.
State of New HampshirePine Bluff, Arkansas Litigation. On October 18, 2017,August 2, 2018, the Arkansas Supreme Court denied the online travel company defendants’ petition for writ of prohibition or certiorari seeking to bar the trial court issued its post-trial order finding thatfrom continuing to exercise jurisdiction over the defendant online travel companies are not subjectcase, or holding any further proceedings. On August 24, 2018, the plaintiffs filed a motion to dismiss the defendants’ appeal as premature. On October 4, 2018, the Arkansas Supreme Court deferred ruling on the plaintiffs’ motion to dismiss the defendants’ appeal, combining it with defendants’ appeal on the merits. The motion and appeal remain pending.
Arizona Cities Litigation. On September 6, 2018, the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part the Arizona Tax Court’s decision. The parties have filed petitions for writ of certiorari seeking leave to the New Hampshire meals and room tax and that their business practices do not violate the state consumer protection act.Arizona Supreme Court, which remains pending.
For additional information on these and other legal proceedings, see Part II, Item 1, Legal Proceedings.
We have established a reserve for the potential settlement of issues related to hotel occupancy tax litigation, consistent with applicable accounting principles and in light of all current facts and circumstances, in the amount of $40 million as of September 30, 2017,2018, and $71$43 million as of December 31, 2016.2017.
Certain jurisdictions, including but not limited to the states of New York, North Carolina, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Maryland, the city of New York, and the District of Columbia, have enacted legislation seeking to tax online travel company services as part of sales taxes for hotel occupancy. We are currently remitting taxes to a number of jurisdictions, including, but not limited to the states of New York, South Carolina, North Carolina, Minnesota, Georgia, Wyoming, Oregon, Rhode Island, Montana, Maryland, Kentucky, Maine, the District of Columbia and the city of New York, as well as certain other county and local jurisdictions.

Pay-to-Play
Pay-to-Play. Certain jurisdictions may assert that we are required to pay any assessed taxes prior to being allowed to contest or litigate the applicability of the ordinances. This prepayment of contested taxes is referred to as “pay-to-play.” Payment of these amounts is not an admission that we believe we are subject to such taxes and, even when such payments are made, we continue to defend our position vigorously. If we prevail in the litigation, for which a pay-to-play payment was made, the jurisdiction collecting the payment will be required to repay such amounts and also may be required to pay interest.
If we prevail in the litigation for which a pay-to-play payment was made, the jurisdiction collecting the payment will be required to repay such amounts and also may be required to pay interest. However, any significant pay-to-play payment or litigation loss could negatively impact our liquidity. For additional information, including significant pay-to-play payments made by Expedia Group companies, as well as reimbursement of certain pay-to-play amounts received by Expedia Group companies, see Note 10 -8 – Commitments and Contingencies- Legal Proceedings - Pay-to-Play in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Legislation.Other Jurisdictions. Certain jurisdictions, including the states of New York, North Carolina, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Maryland, the city of New York, and the District of Columbia, have enacted legislation seeking to tax online travel company services as part of sales taxes for hotel occupancy. We are currently remittingalso in various stages of inquiry or audit with domestic and foreign tax authorities, some of which, including in the City of Los Angeles regarding hotel occupancy taxes and in the United Kingdom, regarding the application of value added tax (“VAT”) to our European Union related transactions, may impose a number of jurisdictions, includingpay-to-play requirement to the states of New York, South Carolina, North Carolina, Minnesota, Georgia, Wyoming, Oregon, Rhode Island, Montana, Maryland, Kentucky and Maine, the District of Columbia and the city of New York, as well as certain other county and local jurisdictions.challenge an adverse inquiry or audit result in court.
Segments
We have four reportable segments: Core Online Travel Agencies (“Core OTA”), trivago, HomeAway and Egencia. Our Core OTA segment provides a full range of travel and advertising services to our worldwide customers through a variety of brands including: Expedia.com and Hotels.com in the United States and localized Expedia and Hotels.com websites throughout the world, Expedia Partner Solutions, Orbitz, CheapTickets, ebookers, EAN, Hotwire.com, Travelocity, Wotif Group, ebookers, CheapTickets, Hotwire.com, CarRentals.com, Classic Vacations and SilverRail Technologies, Inc.SilverRail. Our trivago segment generates advertising revenue primarily from sending referrals to online travel companies and travel service providers from its hotel metasearch websites. Our HomeAway segment operates an online marketplace for the vacation rental industry. Our Egencia segment provides managed travel services to corporate customers worldwide.
Operating Metrics
Our operating results are affected by certain metrics, such as gross bookings and revenue margin, which we believe are necessary for understanding and evaluating us. Gross bookings generally represent the total retail value of transactions booked for agency, merchant and HomeAway transactions, recorded at the time of booking reflecting the total price due for travel by travelers, including taxes, fees and other charges, and are reduced for cancellations and refunds. As travelers have increased their use of the internet to book travel arrangements, we have generally seen our gross bookings increase, reflecting the growth in the online travel industry, our organic market share gains and our business acquisitions. Revenue margin is defined as revenue as a percentage of gross bookings.
When HomeAway properties are booked through our Core OTA websites and vice versa, the segments split the third-party revenue for management and segment reporting purposes with the majority of the third-party revenue residing with the website marketing the property or room. The operating metrics, including gross bookings and room nights, are not split but instead generally reside entirely with the website marketing the property or room.


Gross Bookings and Revenue Margin
Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Gross Bookings                      
Core OTA$18,456
 $17,006
 9% $56,519
 $51,414
 10%$20,217
 $18,456
 10% $62,399
 $56,519
 10%
trivago(1)

 
 N/A
 
 
 N/A

 
 N/A
 
 
 N/A
HomeAway(2)
2,013
 1,403
 44% 6,833
 4,681
 46%2,496
 2,013
 24% 9,257
 6,833
 35%
Egencia1,728
 1,579
 9% 5,293
 4,914
 8%1,963
 1,728
 14% 6,114
 5,293
 16%
Total gross bookings$22,197
 $19,988
 11% $68,645
 $61,009
 13%$24,676
 $22,197
 11% $77,770
 $68,645
 13%
                      
Revenue Margin                      
Core OTA12.5% 12.3%   10.7% 10.5%  12.5% 12.5%   10.7% 10.7%  
trivago(1)
N/A
 N/A
   N/A
 N/A
  N/A
 N/A
   N/A
 N/A
  
HomeAway(2)
15.1% 15.0%   10.4% 11.2%  16.4% 15.1%   10.2% 10.4%  
Egencia7.3% 7.1%   7.2% 7.0%  7.1% 7.3%   7.3% 7.2%  
Total revenue margin13.4% 12.9%   11.3% 11.0%  13.3% 13.4%   11.1% 11.3%  
 ____________________________
(1)trivago, which is comprised of a hotel metasearch business that differs from our transaction-based websites, does not have associated gross bookings or revenue margin. However, third-party revenue from trivago is included in revenue used to calculate total revenue margin.
(2)In the first quarter of 2017, we began reporting HomeAway gross bookings along with the historical comparable information. HomeAway gross bookings include on-platform and reported transactions from all HomeAway brands, with the exception of BedandBreakfast.com and TopRural (which, if included would collectively add less than an estimated 2% to gross bookings). On-platform grossGross bookings for Stayz, Bookabach and Travelmob (which collectively represent less than 10% of total on-platform transactions) represent our best estimates.estimates, including gross bookings for Stayz and Bookabach that remain off-platform while we transfer those brands to HomeAway platform brands, which started during the second quarter of 2018.
The increase in worldwide gross bookings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, as compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, was primarily driven by growth at our Core OTA segment, including growth at Brand Expedia, Hotels.com, and Expedia Partner Solutions, as well as growth at HomeAway.
Results of Operations
Revenue
 Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
 2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
 ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Revenue by Segment           
Core OTA$2,527
 $2,314
 9 % $6,706
 $6,022
 11 %
trivago (Third-party revenue)200
 221
 (10)% 571
 621
 (8)%
HomeAway410
 305
 35 % 941
 714
 32 %
Egencia139
 126
 10 % 446
 384
 16 %
     Total revenue$3,276
 $2,966
 10 % $8,664
 $7,741
 12 %
Revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same periods in 2017, primarily driven by growth in the Core OTA segment, including growth at Brand Expedia, Hotels.com and EAN,Expedia Partner Solutions, as well as growth at HomeAway.
The increase in
 Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
 2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
 ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Revenue by Service Type           
Lodging$2,347
 $2,102
 12% $5,951
 $5,246
 13%
Air209
 189
 11% 674
 608
 11%
Advertising and media(1)
302
 299
 1% 858
 858
 %
Other418
 376
 11% 1,181
 1,029
 15%
Total revenue$3,276
 $2,966
 10% $8,664
 $7,741
 12%
____________________________
(1)Includes third-party revenue from trivago as well as our transaction-based websites.
Lodging revenue marginincreased 12% and 13% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as2018, compared to the same periods in 2016, was primarily due to a mix shift to higher margin products, including the growth in advertising and media revenue, and the favorable impact of lower air ticket prices, partially offset by lower revenue per room night. The year-to-date period was also partially offset by lower HomeAway revenue margins.
Results of Operations
Revenue
 Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
 2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change
 ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Revenue by Segment           
Core OTA$2,314
 $2,083
 11% $6,022
 $5,388
 12%
trivago (Third-party revenue)221
 176
 26% 621
 423
 47%
HomeAway305
 210
 45% 714
 524
 36%
Egencia126
 112
 13% 384
 346
 11%
     Total revenue$2,966
 $2,581
 15% $7,741
 $6,681
 16%

Revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same periods in 2016, primarily driven by growth in the Core OTA segment, including growth atHomeAway, Hotels.com, Expedia Partner Solutions and Brand Expedia and EAN, as well as growth at HomeAway and trivago.
Lodging revenue, which includes hotel and HomeAway revenue,Expedia. Room nights stayed increased 15%13% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periods in 2016. The increase was primarily due to a 16%2017, and 17% increase in room nights stayed driven by growth at Brand Expedia, HomeAway and EAN, partially offset by a 1% and 2% decrease in revenue per room night.
Worldwide air revenue decreased 7%night declined 1% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, due to a 10% decrease in revenue per ticket, partially offset by a 4% increase in air tickets sold. Worldwide air revenue increased 1%2018 and was essentially flat for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periodperiods in 2016, due2017.
Worldwide air revenue increased 11% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same periods in 2017, on a 5%4% increase in air tickets sold partiallyfor both periods as well as a 6% and 7% increase in revenue per ticket. Air revenue growth for the periods included an approximately 300 basis point and 350 basis point benefit due to an accounting change related to classification of certain fees, which were previously recorded as contra-revenue but now classified as cost of revenue with no net impact to operating income (loss).
Advertising and media revenue increased 1% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and was essentially flat for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same periods in 2017, due to continued growth at Expedia Group Media Solutions, mostly offset by a 4% decrease indecline at trivago for both periods. All other revenue, per ticket.
The remaining worldwide revenue, other than lodging and air discussed above, which includes advertising and media, car rental, insurance, destination services and fee revenue related to our corporate travel business, increased by 22%11% and 26%15% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, primarily due to growth in advertising and media revenue as well as growth in our travel insurance products and car rental products.revenue.
In addition to the above segment and product revenue discussion, our revenue by business model is as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Revenue by Business Model                      
Merchant$1,559
 $1,407
 11% $4,111
 $3,682
 12%$1,688
 $1,559
 8% $4,554
 $4,111
 11%
Agency803
 723
 11% 2,058
 1,858
 11%876
 803
 9% 2,311
 2,058
 12%
Advertising and media(1)
299
 241
 24% 858
 617
 39%302
 299
 1% 858
 858
 %
HomeAway305
 210
 45% 714
 524
 36%410
 305
 35% 941
 714
 32%
Total revenue$2,966
 $2,581
 15% $7,741
 $6,681
 16%$3,276
 $2,966
 10% $8,664
 $7,741
 12%
 ____________________________
(1)Includes third-party revenue from trivago as well as our transaction-based websites.
Merchant revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, primarily due to the increase in merchant hotel revenue driven by an increase in room nights stayed.
Agency revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, primarily due to the growth in agency hotel.
Advertisinghotel and media revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same periods in 2016, primarily due to continued growth in revenue at trivago and Expedia Media Solutions.air.
HomeAway revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, primarily due to growth in transactional revenue of approximately 115%50% and 130%60% driven by a benefit from the traveler service fee, partially offset by subscription revenue decreasing approximately 35%20% and 30%25%.

Cost of Revenue
Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Customer operations$203
 $189
 8 % $578
 $558
 4 %$223
 $203
 10% $661
 $579
 14%
Credit card processing129
 137
 (6)% 389
 399
 (2)%136
 129
 6% 394
 389
 2%
Data center, cloud and other127
 91
 39 % 352
 269
 31 %145
 127
 15% 434
 352
 23%
Total cost of revenue$459
 $417
 10 % $1,319
 $1,226
 8 %$504
 $459
 10% $1,489
 $1,320
 13%
% of revenue15.5% 16.2%   17.0% 18.3%  15.4% 15.5%   17.2% 17.0%  
Cost of revenue primarily consists of (1) customer operations, including our customer support and telesales as well as fees to air ticket fulfillment vendors, (2) credit card processing, including merchant fees, fraud and chargebacks, and (3) other

costs, primarily including data center and cloud costs to support our websites, supplier operations, destination supply and stock-based compensation.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, the increase in cost of revenue expense, compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, was driven by $36$20 million and $83$82 million of higher customer operations expenses, including higher direct and headcount costs to support growth of the business, as well as $18 million and $82 million of higher data center, cloud and other costs, including $8 million and $23 million related to an increase in data center related depreciation expense. Personnel expenses also increased in the the current year periods primarily to support customer operations.costs. Cloud expense in cost of revenue during the third quarter of 2017 was $17 million, compared to $1 million in the third quarter of 2016,three and $38 million during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 was $22 million and $67 million, compared to $2$17 million in 2016.and $38 million for the same periods of 2017.
Selling and Marketing
Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Direct costs$1,224
 $1,007
 22% $3,485
 $2,776
 26%$1,228
 $1,224
 % $3,731
 $3,485
 7%
Indirect costs237
 198
 20% 689
 623
 11%273
 237
 15% 827
 689
 20%
Total selling and marketing$1,461
 $1,205
 21% $4,174
 $3,399
 23%$1,501
 $1,461
 3% $4,558
 $4,174
 9%
% of revenue49.3% 46.7%   53.9% 50.9%  45.8% 49.3%   52.6% 53.9%  
Selling and marketing expense primarily relates to direct costs, including traffic generation costs from search engines and internet portals, television, radio and print spending, private label and affiliate program commissions, public relations and other costs. The remainder of the expense relates to indirect costs, including personnel and related overhead in our various brands and global supply organization, as well as stock-based compensation costs.
Selling and marketing expenses increased $256 million and $775$40 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, primarily due to higher indirect costs of $36 million, which were primarily driven by growth in personnel in the lodging supply organization. In addition, direct costs increased $4 million, which were primarily a result of increases at Expedia Partner Solutions and Brand Expedia that were mostly offset by a decrease at trivago.
Selling and marketing expenses increased $384 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016,2017, driven by increasesincrease of $217 million and $709$246 million of direct costs, including online and offline marketing expenses. trivago, Brand Expedia EANPartner Solutions, Hotels.com and Hotels.comHomeAway accounted for the majority of the total direct cost increases. In addition, higher indirect costs of $39 million and $66$138 million also contributed to the increaseincreases and were driven by growth in personnel partially offset by lower stock-based compensation in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 when compared to the same period in 2016, which included incremental charges from certain trivago awards pursuant to liability treatment.lodging supply organization.


Technology and Content
Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Personnel and overhead$165
 $140
 18% $487
 $447
 9 %$194
 $165
 18% $590
 $487
 21%
Depreciation and amortization of technology assets113
 92
 23% 325
 260
 25 %127
 113
 12% 370
 325
 14%
Other72
 69
 4% 203
 204
 (1)%83
 72
 16% 240
 203
 18%
Total technology and content$350
 $301
 16% $1,015
 $911
 11 %$404
 $350
 15% $1,200
 $1,015
 18%
% of revenue11.8% 11.7%   13.1% 13.6%  12.3% 11.8%   13.8% 13.1%  
Technology and content expense includes product development and content expense, as well as information technology costs to support our infrastructure, back-office applications and overall monitoring and security of our networks, and is principally comprised of personnel and overhead, depreciation and amortization of technology assets including hardware, and purchased and internally developed software, and other costs including cloud expense, licensing and maintenance expense and stock-based compensation.
Technology and content expense increased $49$54 million and $104$185 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, primarily due to increased depreciation and amortization of technology assets of $21 million and $65 million. In addition, personnel and overhead increasedof $29 million and $103 million from our investments in our ecommerce platform and products. In addition, for both periods on higher headcount, including the addition of SilverRail, which was partially offset by lower stock-based compensation for trivago in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 when compared2018, growth at HomeAway and inorganic impacts of acquisitions also contributed to the same period in 2016.increase. Depreciation and amortization of technology assets also increased $14 million and $45 million. Cloud expense in technology and

content during the third quarter of 2017 was $11 million, compared to $10 million in the third quarter of 2016,three and $27 million during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 was $11 million and $36 million, compared to $23$11 million and $27 million in 2016.the same periods of 2017.

General and Administrative
Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Personnel and overhead$115
 $100
 15 % $326
 $303
 8 %$128
 $115
 11% $383
 $326
 18%
Professional fees and other26
 66
 (60)% 152
 201
 (24)%74
 26
 182% 214
 152
 40%
Total general and administrative$141
 $166
 (15)% $478
 $504
 (5)%$202
 $141
 43% $597
 $478
 25%
% of revenue4.8% 6.4%   6.2% 7.5%  6.1% 4.8%   6.9% 6.2%  
General and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel-related costs, including our executive leadership, finance, legal and human resource functions as well as fees for external professional services including legal, tax and accounting, and other costs including stock-based compensation.
General and administrative expense decreased $25increased $61 million and $26$119 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, primarily due to the current periodprior year reversal of approximately $41 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation expense relatedrelate to the recent departure of our former CEO partially offset byin September 2017 as well as higher personnel and overhead costs including the addition of SilverRail. In addition, the year-to-date period decrease also resulted$13 million and $57 million, resulting from lower stock-based compensation expenseincreased headcount at trivago.corporate.

Amortization of Intangible Assets
 Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
 2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change
 ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Amortization of intangible assets$71
 $75
 (5)% $204
 $249
 (18)%
Impairment of intangible assets
 2
 N/A
 
 2
 N/A
 Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
 2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
 ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Amortization of intangible assets$71
 $71
 1% $215
 $204
 5%
Amortization of intangible assets decreased $4 million and $45during the three months ended September 30, 2018 was consistent compared to the prior year period. Amortization of intangible assets increased $11 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016,2017, primarily due to the prior period completionamortization related to new business acquisitions.

Impairment of amortizationGoodwill

During nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of certain intangible assets.$61 million related to a reporting unit within our Core OTA segment. See Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements for further information.
Legal Reserves, Occupancy Tax and Other
Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change2018��2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other$(1) $22
 N/A 23
 29
 (20)%$(78) $(1) N/A $(74) $23
 N/A
% of revenue(0.1)% 0.9% 0.3% 0.4%  (2.4)% (0.1)% (0.8)% 0.3% 
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other consists of changes in our reserves for court decisions and the potential and final settlement of issues related to hotel occupancy and other taxes, expenses recognized related to monies paid in advance of occupancy and other tax proceedings (“pay-to-play”) as well as certain other legal reserves.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we received a refund of prepaid pay-to-play payments of $78 million from the City of San Francisco and recorded a related gain in legal reserves, occupancy tax and other.
The amounts in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to changes in our reserve related to hotel occupancy and other taxes. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized approximately $11 million for amounts expected to be paid in advance of litigation related to "merchant model” car rental transactions in connection with Hawaii's general excise tax litigation. The remaining expense in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 related to changes in our reserve related to hotel occupancy and other taxes.

Restructuring and Related Reorganization Charges
 Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
 2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change
 ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Restructuring and related reorganization charges$4
 $7
 (40)% 16
 46
 (66)%
% of revenue0.1% 0.3%   0.2% 0.7%  

In connection with activities to centralize and optimize certain operations as well as migrate technology platforms in the prior year,years, primarily related to previously disclosed acquisitions, we recognized $4 million and $16 million in restructuring and related reorganization charges during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $7 million and $46 million during the same periods in 2016. Based on current plans, which are subject to change, we expect to incur less than $5 million during the remainder of 2017 related to these integrations and estimates do not include any possible future acquisition integrations.2017.
Operating Income
Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Operating income$482
 $386
 25% 512
 315
 63%$672
 $481
 39% $618
 $511
 21%
% of revenue16.2% 15.0%   6.6% 4.7%  20.5% 16.2%   7.1% 6.6%  
Operating income increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, primarily due to a growth in revenue and a decrease in most major expense categoriesexcess of operating costs as a percentage of revenue, partially offset by growth in sales and marketingwell as a percentage of revenuethe $78 million gain recognized related to the San Francisco pay-to-play refund in the current year periods.period.
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Core OTA$737
 $714
 3 % 1,531
 1,434
 7 %$837
 $734
 14 % $1,721
 $1,523
 13%
trivago(8) 6
 N/A
 14
 20
 (32)%31
 (8) N/A
 (17) 14
 N/A
HomeAway126
 77
 63 % 171
 133
 29 %209
 126
 66 % 266
 171
 55%
Egencia20
 18
 13 % 75
 60
 25 %19
 20
 (8)% 76
 76
 %
Unallocated overhead costs (Corporate)(166) (148) (12)% (481) (473) (2)%(184) (163) 13 % (547) (474) 15%
Total Adjusted EBITDA (1)
$709
 $667
 6 % $1,310
 $1,174
 12 %$912
 $709
 29 % $1,499
 $1,310
 14%

 ____________________________
(1)Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See "Definition and Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA" below for more information.
Adjusted EBITDA is our primary segment operating metric. See Note 119 – Segment Information in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on intersegment transactions, unallocated overhead costs and for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA by segment to net income (loss) attributable to Expedia Group, Inc. for the periods presented above.
Core OTA Adjusted EBITDA increased $23$103 million and $97$198 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, primarily due to an increase of $231$213 million and $634$684 million in revenue, partially offset by higher operating expenses, including an increase in onlinedirect sales and offline marketing expense mostly at Expedia Partner Solutions, Hotels.com and Brand Expedia EAN and Hotels.com, and including an increaseas well as growth in online spend on trivago. personnel in the lodging supply organization.
trivago Adjusted EBITDA declined $14 million duringDuring the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, trivago had Adjusted EBITDA of $31 million compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $8 million for the same period in 2016, with2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, trivago had an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $17 million compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $14 million for the same period in 2017. During the third quarter of 2017, trivago experienced a deterioration largelyin earnings driven by changes in trivago’sits marketplace, thatwhich led to a deceleration in

revenue growth that occurred more quickly than planned television advertising spend could be reduced to an efficient level. The factors impactingBeginning in the thirdsecond quarter also impacted the year-to-date period withof 2018, trivago has focused on improved profitability and made significant reductions in its advertising spend as a decline in Adjusted EBITDAresult of $6 million.this increased focus on reducing operating expenditures.
HomeAway Adjusted EBITDA increased $49$83 million and $38$95 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, due to an increase of $95$105 million and $190$227 million in revenue, partially offset by higher sellingoperating expenses from planned investments in performance-based marketing as well as a continuation in investing in both consumer and marketingsupplier facing products, and technology and content expense. DuringHomeAway's migration to the current year, HomeAway has continued to invest in offline and online brand marketing to bring more demand to its growing supply base and in growing its product and technology teams.cloud.
Egencia Adjusted EBITDA decreased $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and was essentially flat for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same periods in 2017, as growth in revenue from new corporate clients and room nights was mostly offset by headcount costs from investments in sales, product and technology.
Unallocated overhead costs increased $2$21 million and $15$73 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periods in 2016, primarily due to an increase in revenue of $14 million and $38 million as a result of adding new corporate clients and room night growth as well as scale efficiencies, partially offset by investments in sales, product and technology.
Unallocated overhead costs increased $18 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to higher general and administrative personnel and overhead costs as well as professional fees. Unallocated overhead costs increased slightly during the year-to-date period due primarily to the higher general and administrative expenses during the current quarter, mostly offset by lower technology and content expense as we lap over an accelerated pace of technology hiringexpenses to support investments in the prior year.our ecommerce platform.
Interest Income and Expense
Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Interest income$9
 $6
 60% 25
 14
 73 %$34
 $9
 269% $61
 $25
 147%
Interest expense(44) (43) 1% (130) (130)  %(47) (44) 6% (149) (130) 14%

Interest income increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, primarily due to interest income recognized on the San Francisco pay-to-play refund mentioned above of $19 million as well as higher average cash balances and to a lesser extent higher rates of return. return in the current year periods.
Interest expense was consistent period over period.increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same periods in 2017, as a result of interest on the $1 billion senior unsecured notes issued in September 2017, partially offset by the August 2018 maturity of our $500 million senior unsecured notes.

Other, Net
Other, net is comprised of the following:
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
($ in millions)($ in millions)
Foreign exchange rate losses, net$(21) $(6) $(47) $(23)
Loss on investments, net(9) (4) (14) (11)
Foreign exchange rate gains (losses), net$(6) $(21) $1
 $(47)
Losses on minority equity investments, net(39) (9) (100) (14)
Other(2) 1
 (5) (3)(2) (1) (2) (4)
Total other, net$(32) $(9) $(66) $(37)$(47) $(31) $(101) $(65)
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the losses on minority equity investments, net primarily related to fair value changes in our investment in Despegar, a publicly traded company. As described in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recently Adopted Accounting Policies, we adopted new accounting guidance on January 1, 2018, which requires minority investments with readily determinable fair values to be carried at fair value with changes recorded through net income.
Provision for Income Taxes 
Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  ($ in millions)   ($ in millions)  
Provision for income taxes$66
 $61
 9% $22
 $(15) N/A$81
 $66
 23% $56
 $22
 151%
Effective tax rate15.9% 17.9%   6.6% (9.2)% 13.3% 15.9%   13.1% 6.6%  
We determine our provision for income taxes for interim periods using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate. We record any changes affecting the estimated annual effective tax rate in the interim period in which the change occurs, including discrete tax items. We have included in the estimated annual effective tax the reduction in the U.S. statutory tax rate, global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI"), and the foreign derived intangible income ("FDII") deduction related to current year operations and have not provided additional GILTI on deferred items.
For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recorded2018, the effective tax rate was a 15.9% and 17.9% tax rate13.3% expense on pre-tax income, which were bothcompared to 15.9% expense on pre-tax income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 with the change primarily driven by discrete income tax items, specifically the recognition ofTax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act"), a decrease in excess tax benefits related to share-based payments.for stock compensation as well as other discrete tax items.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded2018, the effective tax rate was a 13.1% expense on a pre-tax income, compared to a 6.6% tax rate expense on pre-tax income which was driven by discrete income tax items, specifically the recognition of excess tax benefits related to share-based payments. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was a 9.2% tax rate benefit measured against a pre-tax income, and was due to discrete income tax items including release of a valuation allowance for net operating losses2017 with the change primarily driven by the Tax Act, the 2018 goodwill impairments as discussed in Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements in the first quarter of 2016,notes to the consolidated financial statements, a decrease in excess tax benefits for stock compensation as well as recognition of excessother discrete tax benefits related to share-based payments resulting from the adoption of new accounting guidance for share-based paymentsitems.as of January 1, 2016. 
In addition to the above, our effective tax rate for all periods was lower than the 35% federal statutory rate due to earnings in foreign jurisdictions outside of the United States, predominately Switzerland, where our statutory income tax rate is lower as well as excess tax benefits.
We are subject to taxation in the United States and various other state and foreign jurisdictions. We are under examination by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")IRS for our 2009 through 2013 tax years. Our 2014 and subsequentSubsequent years remain open to examination by the IRS. We do not anticipate a significant impact to our gross unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months related to these years. During first quarter of 2017, the IRS issued proposed adjustments related to transfer pricing with our foreign subsidiaries for our 2009 to 2010 audit cycle. The proposed adjustments would increase our U.S. taxable income by $105 million, which would result in federal tax expense of approximately $37 million, subject to interest. We do not agree with the position of the IRSproposed adjustments and are formally protesting the IRS position.

Definition and Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA
We report Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Adjusted EBITDA is among the primary metrics by which management evaluates the performance of the business and on which internal budgets are based. Management believes that investors should have access to the same set of tools that management uses to analyze our results. This non-GAAP measure should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations in that it does not take into account the impact of certain expenses to our consolidated statements of operations. We endeavor to compensate for the limitation of the non-GAAP measure presented by also providing the most directly comparable GAAP measure and a description of the reconciling items and adjustments to derive the non-GAAP measure. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes certain items related to transactional tax matters, which may ultimately be settled in cash, and we urge investors to review the detailed disclosure regarding these matters included above, in the Legal Proceedings section, as well as the notes to the financial statements. The non-GAAP financial measure used by the Company may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) attributable to Expedia Group adjusted for (1) net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests; (2) provision for income taxes; (3) total other expenses, net; (4) stock-based compensation expense, including compensation expense related to certain subsidiary equity plans; (5) acquisition-related impacts, including (i) amortization of intangible assets and goodwill and intangible asset impairment, (ii) gains (losses) recognized on changes in the value of contingent consideration arrangements, if any, and (iii) upfront consideration paid to settle employee compensation plans of the acquiree, if any; (6) certain other items, including restructuring; (7) items included in legal reserves, occupancy tax and other; (8) that portion of gains (losses) on revenue hedging activities that are included in other, net that relate to revenue recognized in the period; and (9) depreciation.
The above items are excluded from our Adjusted EBITDA measure because these items are noncash in nature, or because the amount and timing of these items is unpredictable, not driven by core operating results and renders comparisons with prior periods and competitors less meaningful. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure for analysts and investors to evaluate our future on-going performance as this measure allows a more meaningful comparison of our performance and projected cash earnings with our historical results from prior periods and to the results of our competitors. Moreover, our management uses this measure internally to evaluate the performance of our business as a whole and our individual business segments. In addition, we believe that by excluding certain items, such as stock-based compensation and acquisition-related impacts, Adjusted EBITDA corresponds more closely to the cash operating income generated from our business and allows investors to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting the ongoing cash earnings capabilities of our business, from which capital investments are made and debt is serviced.

The reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to Expedia Group, Inc. to Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
 (In millions) (In millions)
Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc. $352
 $279
 $323
 $202
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests (2) (1) (3) (25)
Net income attributable to Expedia Group, Inc. $525
 $352
 $389
 $323
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests 6
 (3) (16) (4)
Provision for income taxes 66
 61
 22
 (15) 81
 66
 56
 22
Total other expense, net 66
 47
 170
 153
 60
 66
 189
 170
Operating income 482
 386
 512
 315
 672
 481
 618
 511
Gain (loss) on revenue hedges related to revenue recognized (9) 4
 4
 4
 22
 (9) 18
 3
Restructuring and related reorganization charges, excluding stock-based compensation 4
 6
 16
 34
Restructuring and related reorganization charges 
 4
 
 16
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other (1) 22
 23
 29
 (78) (1) (74) 23
Stock-based compensation 6
 48
 103
 197
 54
 7
 154
 104
Amortization of intangible assets 71
 75
 204
 249
 71
 71
 215
 204
Impairment of intangible assets 
 2
 
 2
Impairment of goodwill 
 
 61
 
Depreciation 156
 124
 448
 344
 171
 156
 507
 449
Adjusted EBITDA $709
 $667
 $1,310
 $1,174
 $912
 $709
 $1,499
 $1,310

Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from operations; our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment balances, which were $3.8$3.4 billion and $1.9$3.3 billion at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016, including $1.4 billion and $1.1 billion of cash and short-term investment balances held in wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries, (which includes $903 million and $737 million related to earnings indefinitely invested outside the United States) as well as $317 million and $313 million held in majority-owned subsidiaries, which is also indefinitely invested outside the United States;2017, and our $1.5$2 billion revolving credit facility, which is essentially untapped and expires in February 2021. May 2023.
The revolving credit facility, which was amended in the second quarter of 2018 to increase the borrowing capacity to $2 billion, extend the expiration to May 2023, and reduce the interest rate on loans under the facility (as disclosed herein), bears interest based on the Company’s credit ratings with the applicable interest rate on drawn amounts at LIBOR plus 137.5125 basis points and the commitment fee on undrawn amounts at 17.5 basis points as of September 30, 2017.2018.
InAs of September 2017, we privately placed $130, 2018, the total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments held outside the United States was $1.4 billion of senior unsecured notes that are due($1.3 billion in February 2028wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries and bear interest at 3.8% (the "3.8% Notes"). The 3.8% Notes were issued at 99.747% of par resulting$180 million in a discount, which is being amortized over their life. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears in February and August of each year, beginning February 15, 2018. We used or expect to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, but are not limited to, the repayment, prepayment, redemption or repurchase of our indebtedness (including, but not limited to, our 7.456% senior notes due 2018) as well as working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions.majority-owned subsidiaries).
Our credit ratings are periodically reviewed by rating agencies. As of September 30, 2017,2018, Moody’s rating was Ba1 with an outlook of “stable,” S&P’s rating was BBB-BBB with an outlook of “stable” and Fitch’s rating was BBB- with an outlook of “stable.” Changes in our operating results, cash flows, financial position, capital structure, financial policy or capital allocations to share repurchase, dividends, investments and acquisitions could impact the ratings assigned by the various rating agencies. Should our credit ratings be adjusted downward, we may incur higher costs to borrow and/or limited access to capital markets, which could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
As of September 30, 2017,2018, we were in compliance with the covenants and conditions in our revolving credit facility and outstanding debt, which was comprised of $500 million in registered senior unsecured notes due in August 2018 that bear interest at 7.456%, $750 million in registered senior unsecured notes due in August 2020 that bear interest at 5.95%, $500 million in registered senior unsecured notes due in August 2024 that bear interest at 4.5%, Euro 650 million of registered senior unsecured notes due in June 2022 that bear interest at 2.5%, $750 million of registered senior unsecured notes due in February 2026 that bear interest at 5.0% and the $1 billion of registered senior unsecured notes due in February 2028 that bear interest at 3.8%. In August 2018, our $500 million in registered senior unsecured notes that bore interest at 7.456% matured and the balance was repaid.
Under the merchant model, we receive cash from travelers at the time of booking and we record these amounts on our consolidated balance sheets as deferred merchant bookings. We pay our airline suppliers related to these merchant model bookings generally within a few weeks after completing the transaction, but we are liable for the full value of such transactions until the flights are completed. For most other merchant bookings, which is primarily our merchant hotel business, we generally pay after the travelers’ use and, in some cases, subsequent billing from the hotel suppliers. Therefore, generally we receive cash

from the traveler prior to paying our supplier, and this operating cycle represents a working capital source of cash to us. As long as the merchant hotel business grows, we expect that changes in working capital related to merchant hotel transactions will positively impact operating cash flows. However, we are using both the merchant model and the agency model in many of our markets. If the merchant hotel model declines relative to our other business models that generally consume working capital such as agency hotel, managed corporate travel, advertising or certain Expedia Affiliate NetworkPartner Solutions relationships, or if there are changes to the merchant model, supplier payment terms, or booking patterns that compress the time period between our receipt of cash from travelers and our payment to suppliers, such as with mobile bookings via smartphones, our overall working capital benefits could be reduced, eliminated or even reversed. Our future working capital benefits could also be impacted by HomeAway's continued shift to more of a transactional model from a subscription model.
As our ETP program continues to expand, and depending on relative traveler and supplier adoption rates and customer payment preferences, among other things, the scaling up of ETP has and will continue to negatively impact near term working capital cash balances, cash flow, relative liquidity during the transition, and hotel revenue margins.
Seasonal fluctuations in our merchant hotel bookings affect the timing of our annual cash flows. During the first half of the year, hotel bookings have traditionally exceeded stays, resulting in much higher cash flow related to working capital. During the second half of the year, this pattern reverses and cash flows are typically negative. While we expect the impact of seasonal fluctuations to continue, merchant hotel growth rates, changes to the model or booking patterns, changes in the relative mix of merchant hotel transactions compared with transactions in our working capital consuming businesses, including ETP, as well as the transformation of the HomeAway vacation rental listing business, may counteract or intensify the anticipated seasonal fluctuations.
As of September 30, 2017,2018, we had a deficit in our working capital of $2.3$2.6 billion, which decreasedincreased compared to the deficit of $2.7$2.3 billion as of December 31, 2016.2017. The change in the deficit was primarily due to operating cash flows as well as proceeds from the 3.8% Notes issued in September 2017, partially offset by investing and financing activities, including capital expenditures, purchase of treasury stock and payment of long-term debt, partially offset by operating cash paid for acquisitions.flows.
We continue to invest in the development and expansion of our operations. Ongoing investments include but are not limited to improvements in infrastructure, which include our servers, networking equipment and software, release improvements to our software code, platform migrations and consolidation and search engine marketing and optimization

efforts. In addition, in 2016, we began our expansion into the cloud computing environment. While we expect our cloud computing expenses have increased and are expected to continue to increase significantly over the next few years, they are expected to result in lower overall capital expenditures related to our data centers over time. Our future capital requirements may include capital needs for acquisitions (including purchases of non-controlling interest), share repurchases, dividend payments or expenditures in support of our business strategy; thus reducing our cash balance and/or increasing our debt. Excluding capital expenditures associated with the build out of our new corporate headquarters, we expect total capital expenditures for full year 20172018 to decline slightlyincrease over 20162017 spending levels. Our current estimates forFor the new headquarters, totalwe expect to spend approximately $700 to $900 million, with final estimates contingent on completion of design plans and final determination of completed office space required in the initial build out.out as well as impacts from any additional tariffs. Of the total, approximately $30 million was spent in 2016 and less than $100approximately $70 million will be spent in 2017. The majority ofDuring 2018 and 2019, we expect to spend $230 to $250 million (having incurred approximately $120 million year-to-date) and $425 to $475 million, respectively, with the remaining expenditures for the new headquarters are planned for 2018 and 2019.costs to be incurred in 2020.
Our cash flows are as follows:
 Nine months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
 2017 2016 $ Change 2018 2017 $ Change
 (In millions) (In millions)
Cash provided by (used in):            
Operating activities $1,922
 $1,544
 $378
 $2,120
 $1,946
 $174
Investing activities (1,480) (589) (891) (655) (1,479) 824
Financing activities 861
 (815) 1,676
 (1,154) 861
 (2,015)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 141
 29
 112
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents (119) 142
 (261)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, net cash provided by operating activities increased by $378$174 million primarily due to increasedhigher operating income after adjusting for impacts of depreciation and amortization and a refund of "pay-to-play" hotel occupancy tax amounts, partially offset by a decrease in benefits from working capital changes, driven mostly from a change in deferred merchant bookings.including higher cash paid for taxes.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, $824 million less cash was used in investing activities increased by $891 million primarily due to higher net purchasepurchases of investments of $792$770 million in the current period compared toand higher cash provided by net sales of investments of $11 millionpaid for acquisitions in the prior year period, as well as an increase of cash used for acquisitions of $170 million, partially offset by lowerhigher current year capital expenditures primarily related to our new corporate headquarters.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, cash used in financing activities primarily included cash paid to acquire shares of $41 million.

$620 million, including the repurchased shares under the authorizations discussed below, the $500 million long-term debt repayment, and $138 million in cash dividend payments, partially offset by $138 million of proceeds from the exercise of options and employee stock purchase plans. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, cash provided by financing activities primarily included $992 million of net proceeds for the issuance of 3.8% Notes in September 2017 as well as $180 million of proceeds from the exercise of options and employee stock purchase plans, partially offset by cash paid to acquire shares of $154 million including the repurchased shares under the authorizations discussed below, and a $130 million in cash dividend payment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, cash used in financing activities primarily included the repayment of $401 million of HomeAway Convertible Notes, cash paid to acquire shares of $367 million and a $111 million cash dividend payment, partially offset by $104 million of proceeds from the exercise of options and employee stock purchase plans.payments.
In February 2015, the Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Board of Directors, authorized a repurchase of up to 10 million shares of our common stock. In April 2018, the Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Board of Directors, authorized a repurchase of up to an additional 15 million shares of our common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, we repurchased, through open market transactions, 1.05.2 million and 3.21.0 million shares under these authorizationauthorizations for a total cost of $139$602 million and $349$139 million, excluding transaction costs. As of September 30, 2017, 6.22018, there were approximately 14.7 million shares remain authorized for repurchaseremaining under this authorization withthe 2018 authorization. There is no fixed termination date for the repurchases. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter of 2018, we repurchased an additional 0.3 million shares for a total cost of $33 million, excluding transaction costs, representing an average purchase price of $129.35 per share.

During the first nine months of 20172018 and 2016,2017, the Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Board of Directors, declared and we paid the following dividends:
Declaration Date 
Dividend
Per Share
 Record Date 
Total Amount
(in thousands)
 Payment Date 
Dividend
Per Share
 Record Date 
Total Amount
(in millions)
 Payment Date
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018        
February 7, 2018 $0.30
 March 8, 2018 $46
 March 28, 2018
April 24, 2018 0.30
 May 24, 2018 45
 June 14, 2018
July 23, 2018 0.32
 August 23, 2018 47
 September 13, 2018
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017            
February 7, 2017 $0.28
 March 9, 2017 $42,247
 March 30, 2017 0.28
 March 9, 2017 42
 March 30, 2017
April 26, 2017 0.28
 May 25, 2017 42,438
 June 15, 2017 0.28
 May 25, 2017 43
 June 15, 2017
July 26, 2017 0.30
 August 24, 2017 45,578
 September 14, 2017 0.30
 August 24, 2017 45
 September 14, 2017
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016     
February 8, 2016 $0.24
 March 10, 2016 $36,174
 March 30, 2016
April 26, 2016 0.24
 May 26, 2016 35,773
 June 16, 2016
July 27, 2016 0.26
 August 25, 2016 39,062
 September 15, 2016
In addition, in October 2017,2018, the Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Board of Directors, declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30$0.32 per share of outstanding common stock payable on December 7, 20176, 2018 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 16, 2017.15, 2018. Future declarations of dividends are subject to final determination by our Board of Directors.
The effect of foreign exchange on our cash and restricted cash balances denominated in foreign currency for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to the same period in 2016,2017, showed a net change of $112$(261) million reflecting higher appreciationsnet depreciations in foreign currencies infor the current year period compared to net appreciations in foreign currencies in the prior year period.
In our opinion, available cash, funds from operations and available borrowings will provide sufficient capital resources to meet our foreseeable liquidity needs. There can be no assurance, however, that the cost or availability of future borrowings, including refinancings, if any, will be available on terms acceptable to us.

Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments and Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
There have been no material changes outside the normal course of business to our contractual obligations and commercial commitments since December 31, 2016.2017. Other than our contractual obligations and commercial commitments, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 20172018 or December 31, 2016.2017.

Part I. Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market Risk Management
There has been no material changes in our market risk during the three months ended September 30, 2017.2018. For additional information, see Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.


Part I. Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), our management, including our Chairman and Senior Executive, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, our Chairman and Senior Executive, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting.
There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 20172018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



Part II. Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, Expedia Group and its subsidiaries are parties to legal proceedings and claims involving property, personal injury, contract, alleged infringement of third party intellectual property rights and other claims. A discussion of certain legal proceedings can be found in the section titled “Legal Proceedings,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 20172018 and June 30, 2017.2018. The following are developments regarding, as applicable, such legal proceedings and/or new legal proceedings:

Litigation Relating to Occupancy and Other Taxes
Actions Filed by Individual States, Cities and Counties
City and County of San Francisco, California Litigation. On August 29, 2018, the California Supreme Court denied the City of San Antonio, Texas Litigation.Francisco’s petition for review. On September 26, 2017,13, 2018, the United States Fifth Circuit CourtCity of Appeals heard argument onSan Francisco refunded all $78 million in pay-to-play amounts previously paid by the parties’ cross appeals. The parties await a ruling fromExpedia Group companies (including Orbitz), along with $19 million in accumulated interest, thereby effectively ending the court.case.
Pine Bluff, Arkansas Litigation. On August 2, 2018, the Arkansas Supreme Court denied defendants’ petition for writ of prohibition or certiorari seeking to bar the trial court from continuing to exercise jurisdiction over the case, or holding any further proceedings. On August 24, 2018, the plaintiffs filed a motion to dismiss the defendants’ appeal as premature. On October 10, 2017, plaintiffs4, 2018, the Arkansas Supreme Court deferred ruling on the plaintiffs’ motion, combining it with defendants’ appeal on the merits. The motion and appeal remain pending.
Town of Breckenridge, Colorado Litigation. On August 20, 2018, the Colorado Supreme Court granted plaintiff’s petition for writ of certiorari seeking leave to appeal as to local accommodations tax issues but denied the petition as to class certification and state sales tax issues. Breckenridge’s appeal remains pending.
State of Mississippi Litigation. On August 30, 2018, the defendant online travel companies filed a motion to dismiss the State’s case for failure to prosecute. The State has opposed that motion. On September 7, 2018, the State filed a motion for partial judgmentsummary judgment. Defendants will be opposing that motion and filing their own cross motion for partial summary judgment. The court has scheduled argument on these motions for November 19, 2018.
Arizona Cities Litigation. On September 6, 2018, the issueArizona Court of liability. The defendants will oppose that motion.Appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part the Arizona Tax Court’s decision. On October 5 and 22, 2018, respectively, the defendant online travel companies and the plaintiffs filed petitions for writ of certiorari seeking leave to appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court. Those petitions remain pending.
Village of Bedford Park,Matteson, Illinois Litigation. The parties reached a settlement and, on August 1, 2018, the court dismissed the case.
Palm Beach, Florida HomeAway Litigation. On October 12, 2018, the defendants filed a renewed motion for summary judgment. The County is scheduled to file a cross motion for summary judgment on October 31, 2018. The court has scheduled argument on the parties’ cross motions for November 27, 2018.
Clackamas County, Oregon HomeAway Litigation. On August 3, 2018, the court adopted the magistrate’s findings and recommendations and dismissed all claims against the defendants. The county did not appeal and the case has ended.

Non-Tax Litigation and Other Legal Proceedings
Putative Class Action Litigation
Buckeye Tree Lodge/2020 O Street Corporation Lawsuits. On August 17, 2018, plaintiffs filed a renewed motion for class certification; that motion remains pending.
Cases against HomeAway.com, Inc. On August 16, 2018, the district court entered final judgment dismissing the Arnold case. On August 27, 2018, the district court adopted the Magistrate’s report and recommendation, thereby granting HomeAway’s motion to compel arbitration and dismissing the May case.
Other Legal Proceedings
Santa Monica, California Litigation.  The United States SeventhNinth Circuit Court of Appeals heard argument on HomeAway’s appeals from the parties’ cross appealsdistrict court’s denial of its motion for a preliminary injunction and dismissal of its claims on October 23, 2017.12, 2018. The parties await a ruling.
State of New Hampshire Litigation.Ryanair Lawsuit (United States). On October 18, 2017,August 6, 2018, the trial court issueddenied Expedia, Inc.’s motions to dismiss. On September 25, 2018, the court certified its post-trial order finding that the defendant online travel companies are not subjectdecisions for interlocutory appeal to the New Hampshire meals and room tax and that their business practices do not violateNinth Circuit. Expedia, Inc. filed a motion for interlocutory review with the state consumer protection act.Ninth Circuit on October 5, 2018 which Ryanair has opposed. That motion remains pending.
Palm Beach, Florida HomeAway Litigation. The court has set the matter on the trial calendar that begins on May 28, 2018.
Portland, Oregon HomeAway Litigation. The court has set the case for trial on February 20, 2018.
State of Louisiana/City of New Orleans Litigation.IBM Lawsuit. On August 10, 2017,27, 2018, the defendants filed an application for supervisory writmotions to the Louisiana Supreme Court seeking to reverse the trial court’s denial of their motion for judgment on the pleadings. Plaintiffs have opposed the motion, which remainsdismiss. Those motions remain pending.
Clackamas County, Oregon Litigation.New York City Litigation.  On September 7, 2017, Clackamas County, OregonAugust 24, 2018, HomeAway filed a lawsuit in state circuit court against HomeAway, Expediathe City of New York requesting a declaration that the City’s ordinance governing hosting platforms violates the Stored Communications Act, the First and other vacation rental listing companiesFourth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, and Article 1, Section 12 of the New York Constitution. . HomeAway.com, Inc. v. City of New YorkClackamas County v. Homeaway.com, Inc., et al., Case No. 17-CV-38408 (Clackamas County Circuit Court)18-cv-7742 (U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York)The complaint alleges the defendants failedOn September 4, 2018, HomeAway filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to register with, and remit taxes to, the County as allegedly required by a new ordinance that became effective June 15, 2017. The complaint purports to seekenjoin enforcement of the ordinance and injunctive relief. On October 12, 2017,law on the defendants removed the case to federal court.
Actions filed by Expedia
Denver, Colorado Litigation. same grounds. The parties have reached a settlement. On October 13, 2017, the Colorado Court of Appeals granted the parties' motion to dismiss their respective appeals, thereby ending the case.
Non-Tax Litigation and Other Legal Proceedings
Putative Class Action Litigation
Israeli Putative Class Action Lawsuit. On October 17, 2017, the District Courtcourt heard argument on Hotels.com’s appeal of the court registrar’s decision rejecting its challenge to service of process.
Cases Against HomeAway.com, Inc. On August 1, 2017, the magistrate issued his report and recommendation to the trial court in the Arnold and Brickman cases, recommending the court grant in part and deny in part HomeAway’s motion to dismiss the complaint. On August 25, 2017, the court adopted the magistrate’s report in Brickman. On September 25, 2017, the court adopted the magistrate’s report in Arnold.October 5, 2018. The United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled oral argument for the week of December 4, 2017 in the parties await a ruling.Arnold and Seim cases on the parties’ appeals from the trial court’s decisions on HomeAway’s motions to compel arbitration.

Part II. Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Competition Reviews, Litigation and Legislation Regarding Parity ClausesConsumer Protection Matters
For a discussion of certain matters related to competition review and legislation regarding parity clauses,consumer protection matters see Note 108 – Commitments and Contingencies - Legal Proceedings - Matters Relating to Competition Reviews and Legislation Relating to Parity ClausesConsumer Protection Matters in the notes to consolidated financial statements.

Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.


Part II. Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Share Repurchases
During 2015, the Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Board of Directors, authorized a repurchase of up to 10 million shares of our common stock. In April 2018, the Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Board of Directors, authorized a repurchase of up to an additional 15 million shares of our common stock. A summary of the repurchase activity for the third quarter of 20172018 is as follows:
Period 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
 
Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under Plans or
Programs
  (In thousands, expect per share data)
July 1-31, 2017 218
 $150.37
 218
 6,267
August 1-31, 2017 30
 144.82
 30
 6,237
September 1-30, 2017 
 
 
 6,237
Total 248
   248
  
Period 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
 
Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under Plans or
Programs
  (In thousands, expect per share data)
July 1-31, 2018 333
 $124.95
 333
 15,909
August 1-31, 2018 394
 131.39
 394
 15,515
September 1-30, 2018 767
 128.93
 767
 14,748
Total 1,494
   1,494
  
Preemptive Rights Share Purchases
Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Governance Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2011 (the “Original Governance Agreement”), among the Company, Qurate Retail, Inc. (f/k/a Liberty Interactive Corporation (“Liberty Interactive”)) and Barry Diller as assigned to and assumed by Liberty Expedia Holdings, Inc. (“Liberty”) pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption of Governance Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2016, by and among Liberty, LEXE Marginco, LLC, LEXEB, LLC, Liberty Interactive, Barry Diller and the Company (the “Assignment” and, together with the Original Governance Agreement, the “Governance Agreement”), Liberty in certain circumstances has preemptive rights in connection with certain issuances by the Company of common stock that entitle it to purchase a number of common shares of the Company so that Liberty will maintain the identical ownership interest in the Company (subject to certain adjustments) that Liberty had immediately prior to such issuance (but not in excess of 20.01%). The foregoing is an abbreviated summary of such preemptive rights and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Governance Agreement. On August 21, 2018, Liberty delivered a notice to the Company exercising its preemptive rights under the Governance Agreement with respect to issuances by the Company of its common stock made from October 10, 2017 to July 27, 2018. On September 14, 2018, pursuant to and in accordance with the Governance Agreement, the Company issued 269,646 shares of its common stock to Liberty at a price per share of $113.32, receiving from Liberty an aggregate of approximately $31 million. The sale and issuance of the shares to Liberty were required by the terms of the Governance Agreement and exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act because the issuance of such securities by the Company did not involve a “public offering,” as defined in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and other applicable requirements were met. Neither the Company nor anyone acting on the Company’s behalf offered or sold these shares by any form of general solicitation or general advertising.



Part II. Item 6. Exhibits
The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Exhibit
No.
Exhibit Description
Filed
Herewith
 Incorporated by Reference 
 FormSEC File No.ExhibitFiling Date
10.1X
31.1X    
       
31.2X    
       
31.3X    
       
32.1X    
       
32.2X    
       
32.3X    
       
101The following financial statements from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017,2018, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.X    




Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
October 26, 201725, 2018Expedia Group, Inc.
   
 By:/s/ Alan Pickerill
  Alan Pickerill
  Chief Financial Officer

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