Ellie Mae Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Results

Fiscal Year 2016 Revenue Up 42% to $360.3 Million

Record Annual Seat Bookings of 52,800

PLEASANTON, Calif.--()--Ellie Mae® (NYSE:ELLI), a leading provider of innovative on-demand software solutions and services for the residential mortgage industry, today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Highlights

  • Revenue of $96.2 million, up 48% from $64.9 million in 2015
  • Net income of $10.9 million, up 126% from $4.8 million in 2015
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $29.4 million, up 72% from $17.1 million in 2015
  • 12,000 Encompass seats booked
  • Revenue per average active Encompass® user of $587, up 24% from $475 in 2015

Full Year 2016 Highlights

  • Revenue of $360.3 million, up 42% from $253.9 million in 2015
  • Net income of $37.8 million, up 70% from $22.3 million in 2015
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $113.1 million, up 51% from $74.7 million in 2015
  • 52,800 Encompass seats booked
  • 164,648 active Encompass users, up 21% from the year-ago period

“We finished the year with a great fourth quarter,” said Jonathan Corr, president and CEO of Ellie Mae. “Fourth quarter year-over-year revenue growth of 48% was driven by increased mortgage volume, the addition of new Encompass users, and the adoption of our services. Total seat bookings reached 12,000 during the quarter and we grew contracted users to a record 216,000, highlighting our ongoing business momentum.”

“With lenders recognizing the power of the Encompass Lending Platform to increase productivity and efficiency, we expect to see solid growth in 2017 as newer customers ramp loan production on our platform, we add customer seats and drive the adoption of both existing and new services. We also plan to further drive innovation with the continued introduction of our Encompass Connect suite of solutions and the beginning rollout of Encompass NG.”

Financial Results

Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $96.2 million, compared to $64.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $10.9 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to $4.8 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2015.

On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net income1 for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $20.0 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, compared to $13.5 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2015. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $29.4 million, compared to $17.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. GAAP and non-GAAP per share results for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 include the effect of an additional 3.2 million weighted average shares from the August follow-on offering.

Total revenue for 2016 was $360.3 million, compared to $253.9 million for 2015. Net income for 2016 was $37.8 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, compared to $22.3 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, for 2015.

On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net income1 for 2016 was $74.8 million, or $2.28 per diluted share, compared to $52.2 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, for 2015. Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 was $113.1 million, compared to $74.7 million for 2015. GAAP and non-GAAP per share results for the year ended December 31, 2016 include the effect of an additional 1.3 million weighted average shares from the August follow-on offering.

First Quarter and Full Year 2017 Financial Outlook

Commencing with the first quarter of 2017, we are tax effecting adjusted net income to conform to the recent Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations published by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in May of 2016 (the “May C&DI”) on non-GAAP measures. Our guidance for the first quarter and full year 2017 reflects these changes. Details of the impact on prior year periods are included in the financial data sheet posted to the investor relations section of Ellie Mae’s website.

For the first quarter of 2017, our revenue is expected to be in the range of $92.0 million to $93.0 million. Net income2 is expected to be in the range of $4.5 million to $5.0 million, or $0.13 to $0.14 per diluted share. Adjusted net income1 is expected to be in the range of $7.4 million to $7.5 million, or approximately $0.21 per diluted share, which reflects the tax adjustment. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $19.3 million to $19.5 million. Per share guidance assumes a weighted average share count of approximately 36 million.

For the full year 2017, revenue is expected to be in the range of $433.0 million to $440.0 million. Net income2 is expected to be in the range of $45.0 million to $50.0 million, or $1.23 to $1.36 per diluted share. Adjusted net income1 is expected to be in the range of $65.6 million to $70.7 million, or $1.79 to $1.92 per diluted share, which reflects the tax adjustment. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $139.5 million to $147.4 million. Per share guidance assumes a weighted average share count of approximately 37 million.

Additional information about the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to their related GAAP financial measures is set forth below under the section entitled “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Quarterly Conference Call

Ellie Mae (the “Company”) will discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2016 results today, February 9, 2017, via teleconference at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the call, please dial 877-591-4953 or 719-325-4823 at least five minutes prior to the 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time start time. A live webcast of the call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at http://ir.elliemae.com. An audio replay of the call will be available through February 23, 2017 by dialing 888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820 and entering access code 8508388.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Ellie Mae provides investors with the non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted net income1, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow in addition to the traditional GAAP operating performance measure of net income as part of its overall assessment of its performance. Adjusted net income consists of net income plus stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, and impairment loss on intangible assets. EBITDA consists of net income plus depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, impairment loss on intangible assets, and income tax provision, less other income, net. Adjusted EBITDA consists of EBITDA plus stock-based compensation expense. Free cash flow consists of net cash provided by operating activities less acquisition of property and equipment and internal-use software, net. Ellie Mae uses adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA as measures of operating performance because they enable period to period comparisons by excluding potential differences caused by variations in the age and depreciable lives of fixed assets, the amortization of intangibles related to acquisitions, loss on impairment of intangible assets, and changes in interest expense and interest income that are influenced by capital market conditions. The Company also believes it is useful to exclude stock-based compensation expense from adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA because the amount of non-cash expense associated with stock-based awards made at certain prices and points in time (a) do not necessarily reflect how the company’s business is performing at any particular time and (b) can vary significantly between periods due to the timing of new stock-based awards. These non-GAAP measures are not measurements of the Company’s financial performance under GAAP and have limitations as analytical tools. Accordingly, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, net income or operating income or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company cautions that other companies in Ellie Mae’s industry may calculate adjusted net income, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow differently than the Company does, further limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure. A reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and operating cash flow to free cash flow are included in the tables below.

Note Regarding New Share-based Compensation Expense Accounting Standard

In March 2016, Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"), which addresses, among other items, the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and cash flow presentation. Under ASU 2016-09, excess tax benefits generated upon the settlement or exercise of stock awards are no longer recognized as additional paid-in capital but are instead recognized as a reduction to income tax expense. This amendment to the accounting for income taxes became effective on January 1, 2017 and has been applied by Ellie Mae to its 2017 guidance.

Note Regarding Adjusted Net Income

Recent Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations published by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in May of 2016 (the “May C&DI”) related to the use of non-GAAP financial measures would require the Company to include an additional adjustment to adjusted net income to reflect the income tax effects of the adjustments to GAAP net income (the “tax adjustment”), as discussed above. In reporting adjusted net income results for the fourth quarter and full year 2016, the Company has elected to present adjusted net income consistent with its historical practice, excluding the tax adjustment discussed in the May C&DI. The Company believes that maintaining consistency with its historical practice and previously reported 2016 financial outlook better allows the Company’s investors to evaluate financial performance. For the first quarter and full year 2017 guidance, the Company has included the tax adjustments in the adjusted net income presentation.

The non-GAAP reconciliation tables below include the adjusted net income before and after the inclusion of the tax adjustment for the fourth quarter and full year 2016 results and the first quarter and full year 2017 guidance.

Disclosure Information

Ellie Mae uses the investor relations section on its website as means of complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor Ellie Mae’s investor relations website in addition to following Ellie Mae’s press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts.

About Ellie Mae

Ellie Mae (NYSE:ELLI) is a leading provider of innovative on-demand software solutions and services for the residential mortgage industry. Mortgage lenders of all sizes use Ellie Mae’s Encompass® all-in-one mortgage management solution, Mavent Compliance Service, and AllRegs research, reference and education resources to improve compliance, loan quality and efficiency across the entire mortgage lifecycle. Visit EllieMae.com or call (877) 355-4362 to learn more.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements under the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include projected revenue, net income, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net income for the first quarter and fiscal year 2017. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause Ellie Mae’s results to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. Such differences may be based on factors such as changes in the volume of residential mortgages in the United States; changes in other macroeconomic factors affecting the residential real estate industry; changes in strategic planning decisions by management; our ability to manage growth and expenses as we continue to scale our business; reallocation of internal resources; costs incurred and delays in developing new products; changes in anticipated rates of SaaS seat additions, and new customer acquisitions; the possibility that economic benefits of future opportunities may never materialize, including unexpected variations in market growth and demand for the acquired products and technologies; delays and disruptions, including changing relationships with partners, customers, employees or suppliers; the satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our products and services; the amount of costs incurred in connection with supporting and integrating new customers and partners; ongoing personnel and logistical challenges of managing a larger organization; changes in other macroeconomic factors affecting the residential real estate industry and other risk factors included in documents that Ellie Mae has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including but not limited to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 as updated from time to time by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the SEC. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Ellie Mae’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Ellie Mae cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Ellie Mae expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, unless otherwise required by law.

________________

1 Please see paragraph titled, “Note Regarding Adjusted Net Income.”

2 Please see paragraph titled, “Note Regarding New Share-based Compensation Expense Accounting Standard.”

© 2017 Ellie Mae, Inc. Ellie Mae®, Encompass®, AllRegs®, the Ellie Mae logo and other trademarks or service marks of Ellie Mae, Inc. appearing herein are property of Ellie Mae, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Other company and product names may be trademarks or copyrights of their respective owners.

 
Ellie Mae, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
    December 31,     December 31,
2016 2015
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 380,907 $ 34,396
Short-term investments 41,841 48,975
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $45 and $124 as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively 39,358 28,568
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 15,209   9,874  
Total current assets 477,315 121,813
Property and equipment, net 126,297 81,360
Long-term investments 45,931 55,473
Intangible assets, net 17,289 22,810
Deposits and other assets 10,138 8,888
Goodwill 74,547   74,547  
Total assets $ 751,517   $ 364,891  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 15,942 $ 9,911
Accrued and other current liabilities 39,809 37,307
Deferred revenue 23,126   15,864  
Total current liabilities 78,877 63,082
Leases payable, net of current portion 85 685
Other long-term liabilities 17,647   10,273  
Total liabilities 96,609   74,040  
 
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share; 140,000,000 authorized shares, 33,685,649 and 29,566,511 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively 3 3
Additional paid-in capital 612,098 285,342
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (219 ) (257 )
Retained earnings 43,026   5,763  
Total stockholders’ equity 654,908   290,851  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 751,517   $ 364,891  
 
 
Ellie Mae, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
    Quarter ended December 31,     Year Ended December 31,
2016     2015 2016     2015
Revenues $ 96,181 $ 64,867 $ 360,285 $ 253,937
Cost of revenues(1) 32,843   23,555   120,145   84,208  
Gross profit 63,338 41,312 240,140 169,729
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing(1) 14,257 10,562 54,704 38,208
Research and development(1) 16,305 11,734 58,501 40,451
General and administrative(1) 18,434   14,103   71,318   57,212  
Total operating expenses 48,996   36,399   184,523   135,871  
Income from operations 14,342 4,913 55,617 33,858
Other income, net 424   180   989   619  
Income before income taxes 14,766 5,093 56,606 34,477
Income tax provision 3,864   271   18,830   12,219  
Net income $ 10,902   $ 4,822   $ 37,776   $ 22,258  
Net income per share of common stock:
Basic $ 0.33   $ 0.16   $ 1.21   $ 0.76  
Diluted $ 0.31   $ 0.16   $ 1.15   $ 0.72  
Weighted average common shares used in computing net income per share of common stock:
Basic 33,481,511   29,483,605   31,179,857   29,179,352  
Diluted 35,010,867   30,959,344   32,799,785   30,842,584  
 
Net income $ 10,902 $ 4,822 $ 37,776 $ 22,258
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes:
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments (284 ) (319 ) 38   (162 )
Comprehensive income $ 10,618   $ 4,503   $ 37,814   $ 22,096  
 
(1)Includes stock-based compensation expense of the following for the periods presented:
 
Cost of revenues $ 1,352 $ 1,029 $ 4,835 $ 3,218
Sales and marketing 1,249 779 4,429 2,752
Research and development 1,879 1,470 7,296 5,431
General and administrative 3,535   3,359   14,911   12,840  
$ 8,015   $ 6,637   $ 31,471   $ 24,241  
 
 
Ellie Mae, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
 
    Year Ended December 31,
2016     2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 37,776 $ 22,258
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 20,460 10,842
Amortization of intangible assets 5,521 5,180
Impairment loss on intangible assets 562
Legal settlement (522 )
Stock-based compensation expense 31,471 24,241
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation (10,246 ) (11,387 )
Impairment and loss on sale of property and equipment 5 97
Deferred income taxes 7,784 2,255
Amortization of investment premium 1,024 1,033
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net (10,791 ) (7,943 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (5,334 ) 1,381
Deposits and other assets (3,464 ) (1,985 )
Accounts payable 3,678 290
Accrued, other current and other liabilities 17,585 35,079
Deferred revenue 7,184   5,849  
Net cash provided by operating activities 102,653   87,230  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment (25,191 ) (24,768 )
Acquisition of internal-use software (35,097 ) (27,608 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 58
Purchases of investments (62,533 ) (60,816 )
Maturities of investments 58,223 63,204
Sale of investments 20,000
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired   (16,419 )
Net cash used in investing activities (44,598 ) (66,349 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payment of capital lease obligations (3,827 ) (3,745 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock plans 17,297 14,199
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in public offering, net of issuance costs 271,379
Payments for repurchase of common stock (663 ) (31,530 )
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested restricted stock units (5,976 ) (3,552 )
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation 10,246   11,387  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 288,456   (13,241 )
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 346,511 7,640
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of period 34,396   26,756  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of period $ 380,907   $ 34,396  
 
 
Ellie Mae, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - (continued)
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
 
    Year Ended December 31,
2016     2015
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest $ 294 $ 133
Cash paid for income taxes $ 267 $ 104
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Fixed asset purchases accrued but not paid $ 5,945 $ 3,662
Stock-based compensation capitalized to property and equipment $ 2,831 $ 1,126
Acquisition of property and equipment under capital leases $ $ 6,998
 
 
Ellie Mae, Inc.
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
    Quarter ended December 31,     Year Ended December 31,
2016     2015 2016     2015
Net income $ 10,902 $ 4,822 $ 37,776 $ 22,258
Depreciation and amortization 5,973 3,518 20,460 10,842
Amortization of intangible assets 1,079 1,491 5,521 5,180
Other income, net (424 ) (180 ) (989 ) (619 )
Impairment loss on intangible assets 562 562
Income tax provision 3,864   271   18,830   12,219  
EBITDA 21,394 10,484 81,598 50,442
 
Stock-based compensation expense 8,015   6,637   31,471   24,241  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 29,409   $ 17,121   $ 113,069   $ 74,683  
 
Net income $ 10,902 $ 4,822 $ 37,776 $ 22,258
Stock-based compensation expense 8,015 6,637 31,471 24,241
Impairment loss on intangible assets 562 562
Amortization of intangible assets 1,079   1,491   5,521   5,180  
Adjusted net income before tax adjustments $ 19,996   $ 13,512   $ 74,768   $ 52,241  
Income tax effects of adjustments (3,763 ) (3,583 ) (14,195 ) (11,071 )
Adjusted net income with tax adjustments $ 16,233   $ 9,929   $ 60,573   $ 41,170  
 
Shares used to compute adjusted net income per share
Basic 33,481,511 29,483,605 31,179,857 29,179,352
Diluted 35,010,867 30,959,344 32,799,785 30,842,584
 
Adjusted net income per share before tax adjustments
Basic $ 0.60   $ 0.46   $ 2.40   $ 1.79  
Diluted $ 0.57   $ 0.44   $ 2.28   $ 1.69  
 
Adjusted net income per share with tax adjustments
Basic $ 0.48   $ 0.34   $ 1.94   $ 1.41  
Diluted $ 0.46   $ 0.32   $ 1.85   $ 1.33  
 
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 47,017 $ 22,694 $ 102,653 $ 87,230
Acquisition of property and equipment and internal-use software, net (13,996 ) (10,993 ) (60,288 ) (52,318 )
Free cash flow $ 33,021   $ 11,701   $ 42,365   $ 34,912  
 
 
Ellie Mae, Inc.
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
    First Quarter 2017 Projected Range     Fiscal 2017 Projected Range
Net income $ 4,500     $ 5,000 $ 45,000     $ 50,000
 
Depreciation and amortization 8,000 8,000 39,000 39,000
Amortization of intangible assets 1,100 1,100 4,400 4,400
Income tax provision/other (2,500 ) (2,900 ) 12,600   14,000  
EBITDA 11,100 11,200 101,000 107,400
 
Stock-based compensation expense 8,200   8,300   38,500   40,000  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 19,300   $ 19,500   $ 139,500   $ 147,400  
 
Net income $ 4,500 $ 5,000 $ 45,000 $ 50,000
Stock-based compensation expense 8,200 8,300 38,500 40,000
Amortization of intangible assets 1,100   1,100   4,400   4,400  
Adjusted net income before tax adjustments $ 13,800   $ 14,400   $ 87,900   $ 94,400  
Income tax effects of adjustments (6,400 ) (6,900 ) (22,300 ) (23,700 )
Adjusted net income with tax adjustments $ 7,400   $ 7,500   $ 65,600   $ 70,700  
 
Shares used to compute non-GAAP net income per share
Basic 33,700,000 33,900,000 34,500,000 34,800,000
Diluted 35,500,000 35,700,000 36,600,000 36,800,000
 
Projected net income per share
Basic $ 0.13 $ 0.15 $ 1.30 $ 1.44
Diluted $ 0.13 $ 0.14 $ 1.23 $ 1.36
 
Adjusted net income per share before tax adjustments
Basic $ 0.41 $ 0.42 $ 2.55 $ 2.71
Diluted $ 0.39 $ 0.40 $ 2.40 $ 2.57
 
Adjusted net income per share with tax adjustments
Basic $ 0.22 $ 0.22 $ 1.90 $ 2.03
Diluted $ 0.21 $ 0.21 $ 1.79 $ 1.92
 

Contacts

IR CONTACTS:
Ellie Mae, Inc.
Alex Hughes, 925-227-7079
VP of Investor Relations
IR@elliemae.com
or
The Blueshirt Group for Ellie Mae, Inc.
Lisa Laukkanen, 415-217-4967
lisa@blueshirtgroup.com
or
PRESS CONTACT:
Ellie Mae, Inc.
Erica Harvill, 925-227-5913
Erica.Harvill@elliemae.com

Contacts

IR CONTACTS:
Ellie Mae, Inc.
Alex Hughes, 925-227-7079
VP of Investor Relations
IR@elliemae.com
or
The Blueshirt Group for Ellie Mae, Inc.
Lisa Laukkanen, 415-217-4967
lisa@blueshirtgroup.com
or
PRESS CONTACT:
Ellie Mae, Inc.
Erica Harvill, 925-227-5913
Erica.Harvill@elliemae.com