CoStar Group Grows 2016 Revenue 18%, Increases Annual Net Income $88 Million and Annual EBITDA $125 Million


WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CoStar Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSGP), the leading provider of commercial real estate information, analytics and online marketplaces, announced today that revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $838 million, an increase of 18% over revenue of $712 million for the full year of 2015.  Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2016 grew 13% year-over-year to $218 million.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $88 million to $85 million or $2.62 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $(3) million for the full year of 2015. EBITDA (defined below) for the full year of 2016 was $215 million versus $90 million for the full year of 2015, an increase of 139%.

“2016 was a very strong year for CoStar Group,” said Andrew C. Florance, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CoStar Group. “For the full year of 2016, we added $126 million of revenue and generated $112 million of net new bookings.  We showed the strong margin potential of the business increasing EBITDA $125 million year-over-year. We believe we will exceed our goal of $1 billion in revenue in 2018 and remain committed to achieving 40% margin in the fourth quarter of 2018.”

Florance continued, “Our investment in our sales force in 2016 enabled us to achieve our best fourth quarter of net new bookings with $29 million, which is up 16% year-over-year and up 13% sequentially over the third quarter of 2016. In 2016, we also achieved our highest year ever of net new bookings of CoStar Suite. Our investments in Apartments.com also produced outstanding results, with multifamily net new bookings up over 60% in the fourth quarter of 2016 year-over-year.”

Year 2015-2016 Quarterly Results - Unaudited
(in millions, except per share data)
  2015 2016
  Q1Q2Q3Q4 Q1Q2Q3Q4
                                 
Revenues $159  $171  $189  $193  $200  $207  $213  $218 
Net income (loss) (6) (15) (5) 23  17  16  23  30 
Net income (loss) per share - diluted (0.19) (0.47) (0.17) 0.71  0.52  0.48  0.72  0.91 
Weighted average outstanding shares - diluted 31.8  31.9  32.0  32.3  32.4  32.4  32.4  32.5 
                                 
EBITDA 14  (1) 22  55  48  46  58  64 
Adjusted EBITDA 24  11  36  65  58  56  67  75 
Non-GAAP Net Income 11  2  17  36  31  29  36  42 
Non-GAAP Net Income per share - diluted 0.34  0.08  0.53  1.10  0.95  0.91  1.11  1.29 
                         

“Three years ago we saw an opportunity to capture the lead in the massive apartment rental listings industry, and we invested aggressively in Apartments.com to successfully capture that opportunity,” said Florance.  “Those investments have paid off as we have now taken the number one position in the industry in visits (as reported by comScore for December 2016), revenue, and momentum.  We intend to build on that competitive advantage with our recent purchase of Westside Rentals in southern California, a leading content provider in the largest U.S. apartment rental market. In addition, we launched Apartamentos.com, the first all-Spanish apartment rental listing site in the United States, targeted at reaching the growing U.S. Hispanic community, currently estimated at 57 million.” 

“As investments into Apartments.com shift to profits from Apartments.com, we are shifting our focus to an opportunity to accelerate CoStar revenue growth by merging the LoopNet information products into CoStar,” stated Florance. “In the fourth quarter of 2016, we began expanding CoStar’s research capabilities to support this strategy by opening a new research headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. We already have over 250 researchers in Richmond, and have increased research productivity by more than 100% year-over-year yielding higher quality research to support our CoStar upselling priorities in 2017 and 2018.”

“CoStar Suite continues to show impressive revenue growth,” said Florance. “I believe the CoStar Suite offering will be even more valuable in years to come as we create an even stronger information platform with the integration of the LoopNet and CoStar databases and conversion of LoopNet information users to CoStar.”

CoStar Suite revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $408 million, an increase of 13% versus 2015 and an increase of 14% excluding the impact of foreign currency movements. Multifamily revenue increased 40% in the full year of 2016 compared to 2015, and 22% for the same period on a pro forma basis (defined below), adjusting for the Apartment Finder acquisition.

Non-GAAP net income (defined below) for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $138 million or $4.26 per diluted share, an increase of $72 million compared to non-GAAP net income of $66 million in 2015.  Adjusted EBITDA (defined below) was $256 million for the full year of 2016 compared to $136 million in 2015, which is an increase of $120 million or 88% year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 31% for the year ended December 31, 2016 versus 19% for 2015. Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 34% in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Company-wide net new bookings were $29 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 which represents an increase of 16% year-over-year versus $25 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 13% growth sequentially versus $26 million in the third quarter of 2016. Net new bookings in the fourth quarter were strong despite increasing headwinds resulting from the discontinuation of sales and marketing efforts for the LoopNet information products ahead of the integration with CoStar Suite.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $577 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments, which is an increase of approximately $140 million since December 31, 2015. Short and long-term debt outstanding, net of debt issuance costs, totaled approximately $338 million as of December 31, 2016.

2017 Outlook
“2016 was a year of strong growth and rapid margin expansion for CoStar,” said Scott Wheeler, Chief Financial Officer of CoStar Group. “Our adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 31% in 2016 from 19% in 2015, demonstrating the impressive margin leverage capabilities of the CoStar business model. The 1,200 basis point increase in adjusted EBITDA margin we delivered in 2016 is 300 to 400 basis points higher than the margin guidance we provided at the beginning of the year.  As we look forward to 2017, we plan to reinvest a modest portion of these margin gains back in the business before continuing to expand our margins as we exit 2017.”

The Company expects revenue of approximately $223 million to $225 million for the first quarter of 2017 and approximately $935 million to $945 million for the full year of 2017, representing year-over-year growth of approximately 11-13% compared to 2016.  

The Company expects non-GAAP net income per diluted share of approximately $0.92 to $0.97 for the first quarter of 2017.  For the full year of 2017, the Company expects non-GAAP net income per diluted share of approximately $4.18 to $4.28. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be approximately $57 million to $60 million in the first quarter and $260 million to $265 million for the full year 2017.

The full year guidance range includes an estimate of $15 million of expenses or $0.28 per diluted share associated with the Xceligent litigation that the Company filed on December 12, 2016. While the cost of the litigation is very difficult to predict, the Company currently believes the costs will fall in a range of $10 million to $20 million for 2017. First quarter costs associated with this matter are expected to be approximately $4 million. Details of the litigation can be found on CoStar’s website at http://www.costar.com/xceligent.

CoStar’s outlook also includes the impact of the January 31, 2017 acquisition of Westside Rentals, a leading apartment rentals website in the important southern California market. The Company expects modest dilution in 2017 of approximately $5 million or $0.10 per diluted share. This is the result of the discontinuation of the current Westside Rentals renter-paid subscription revenue model in favor of potential increased advertising revenue for Apartments.com in southern California

The preceding forward-looking statements reflect CoStar Group’s expectations as of February 22, 2017, including forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures on a consolidated basis. We are not able to forecast with certainty whether or when certain events, such as acquisition-related costs, the exact amounts or timing of investments, transition, restructuring, settlements or impairments will occur in any given quarter. Given the risk factors, uncertainties and assumptions discussed above, actual results may differ materially. Other than in publicly available statements, the Company does not intend to update its forward-looking statements until its next quarterly results announcement.

Reconciliation of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share and all of the disclosed non-GAAP financial measures to their GAAP basis results are shown in detail below, along with definitions for those terms. A reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP guidance to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, net income, can be found within the tables included in this release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
For information regarding the purpose for which management uses the non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this release and why management believes they provide useful information to investors regarding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, please refer to the Company’s latest periodic report.

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents GAAP net income attributable to CoStar Group before (i) interest and other income (expense), (ii) provision (benefit) for income taxes, and (iii) depreciation and amortization.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents EBITDA before (i) stock-based compensation expense, (ii) acquisition and integration related costs, (iii) restructuring charges and related costs, and (iv) settlements and impairments incurred outside the Company’s normal business operations.

Non-GAAP net income is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents GAAP net income attributable to CoStar Group before (i) purchase amortization and other related costs, (ii) stock-based compensation expense, (iii) acquisition and integration related costs, (iv) purchase accounting adjustments, (v) restructuring charges and related costs, and (vi) settlements and impairments. From this figure, we then subtract an assumed provision for income taxes to arrive at non-GAAP net income. The company assumes a 38% tax rate in order to approximate our long-term effective corporate tax rate.

Non-GAAP net income per diluted share (also referred to as non-GAAP EPS) is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents non-GAAP net income divided by the number of diluted shares outstanding for the period.  For periods with GAAP net losses and non-GAAP net income, the weighted-average outstanding shares used to calculate non-GAAP net income per share includes potentially dilutive securities that were excluded from the calculation of GAAP net income per share as the effect was anti-dilutive.

Pro-forma Revenue Definition
Pro-forma revenue growth rates presented in this release include the addition of Apartment Finder core online marketplace revenue recognized prior to the June 1, 2015 acquisition date and exclude any pre- or post- acquisition revenue for discontinued Apartment Finder services such as Finder Social. 

Earnings Conference Call
Management will conduct a conference call at 11:00 AM EST on Thursday, February 23, 2017 to discuss earnings results for the fourth quarter of 2016 and the Company’s outlook. To join the conference call by telephone, please dial (877) 209-9920 (from the United States and Canada) or (612) 332-0636 (from all other countries) and refer to conference code 417293. The audio portion of the conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet at www.costargroup.com/investors/events. An audio recording of the conference call will be available for replay approximately one hour after the call's completion and will remain available for a period of time following the call. To access the recorded conference call, please dial (800) 475-6701 (from the U.S. and Canada) or (320) 365-3844 (from all other countries) using access code 417293. The webcast replay will also be available in the Investors section of CoStar Group's website for a period of time following the call.

CoStar Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations-Unaudited
(in thousands, except per share data)
         
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
         
         
Revenues $218,311  $193,009  $837,630  $711,764 
Cost of revenues 46,013  45,127  173,814  188,885 
Gross margin 172,298  147,882  663,816  522,879 
         
Operating expenses:        
Selling and marketing 65,397  59,808  296,483  302,226 
Software development 19,861  16,720  76,400  65,760 
General and administrative 35,022  29,161  123,297  115,507 
Purchase amortization 5,129  6,671  22,731  27,931 
  125,409  112,360  518,911  511,424 
         
Income from operations 46,889  35,522  144,905  11,455 
Interest and other income 1,186  64  1,773  537 
Interest and other expense (2,554) (2,351) (10,016) (9,411)
Income before income taxes 45,521  33,235  136,662  2,581 
Income tax expense, net 15,948  10,245  51,591  6,046 
Net income (loss) $29,573  $22,990  $85,071  $(3,465)
         
Net income (loss) per share - basic $0.92  $0.72  $2.64  $(0.11)
Net income (loss) per share - diluted $0.91  $0.71  $2.62  $(0.11)
         
Weighted average outstanding shares - basic 32,213  31,999  32,167  31,950 
Weighted average outstanding shares - diluted 32,473  32,284  32,436  31,950 
             


CoStar Group, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures-Unaudited
(in thousands, except per share data)
         
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP Net Income
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
         
Net income (loss) $29,573  $22,990  $85,071  $(3,465)
Income tax expense, net 15,948  10,245  51,591  6,046 
Income before income taxes 45,521  33,235  136,662  2,581 
Purchase amortization and other related costs 10,829  13,861  45,550  58,008 
Stock-based compensation expense 9,368  9,368  36,349  34,537 
Acquisition and integration related costs   1,023  2,258  6,370 
Restructuring and related costs
 1,779  (311) 1,845  1,968 
Settlements and impairments       2,778 
Non-GAAP income before income taxes 67,497  57,176  222,664  106,242 
Assumed rate for income tax expense, net * 38% 38% 38% 38%
Assumed provision for income tax expense, net (25,649) (21,727) (84,612) (40,372)
Non-GAAP net income $41,848  $35,449  $138,052  $65,870 
         
Net income (loss) per share - diluted $0.91  $0.71  $2.62  $(0.11)
Non-GAAP net income per share - diluted** $1.29  $1.10  $4.26  $2.04 
         
Weighted average outstanding  shares - basic 32,213  31,999  32,167  31,950 
Weighted average outstanding  shares - diluted** 32,473  32,284  32,436  32,243 
         
* A 38% tax rate is assumed in order to approximate the Company's long-term effective corporate tax rate.
** For periods with GAAP net losses and non-GAAP net income, the weighted-average outstanding shares used to calculate non-GAAP net income per share includes potentially dilutive securities that were excluded from the calculation of GAAP net income per share as the effect was anti-dilutive.
         
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
         
Net income (loss) $29,573  $22,990  $85,071  $(3,465)
Purchase amortization in cost of revenues 5,700  7,190  22,819  30,077 
Purchase amortization in operating expenses 5,129  6,671  22,731  27,931 
Depreciation and other amortization 6,295  5,664  24,615  20,524 
Interest and other income (1,186) (64) (1,773) (537)
Interest and other expense 2,554  2,351  10,016  9,411 
Income tax expense, net 15,948  10,245  51,591  6,046 
EBITDA $64,013  $55,047  $215,070  $89,987 
Stock-based compensation expense 9,368  9,368  36,349  34,537 
Acquisition and integration related costs   1,023  2,258  6,370 
Settlements and impairments   (311)   2,778 
Restructuring and related costs
 1,779    1,845  1,968 
Adjusted EBITDA $75,160  $65,127  $255,522  $135,640 
                 


CoStar Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Unaudited
(in thousands)
     
  December 31,
2016
 December 31,
2015
  (Unaudited)  
ASSETS    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $567,223  $421,818 
Accounts receivable, net 48,537  40,276 
Income tax receivable 129  430 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 11,602  10,209 
Total current assets 627,491  472,733 
     
Long-term investments 9,952  15,507 
Deferred income taxes, net 7,273  9,107 
Property and equipment, net 87,568  88,311 
Goodwill 1,254,866  1,252,945 
Intangible assets, net 195,965  238,318 
Deposits and other assets 1,948  2,650 
Total assets $2,185,063  $2,079,571 
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $83,916  $76,397 
Current portion of long-term debt 31,866  16,746 
Deferred revenue 39,164  42,138 
Total current liabilities 154,946  135,281 
     
Long-term debt, less current portion 306,473  338,366 
Deferred gain on sale of building 18,715  21,239 
Deferred rent 31,589  29,628 
Deferred income taxes, net 18,386  4,585 
Income taxes payable 741  6,692 
     
Stockholders' equity 1,654,213  1,543,780 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $2,185,063  $2,079,571 
         


CoStar Group, Inc.
Results of Segments-Unaudited
(in thousands)
        
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 2016 2015 2016 2015
Revenues       
North America$210,735  $186,514  $809,492  $686,573 
International       
External customers7,576  6,495  28,138  25,191 
Intersegment revenue *16  16  40  41 
Total International revenue7,592  6,511  28,178  25,232 
Intersegment eliminations(16) (16) (40) (41)
Total revenues$218,311  $193,009  $837,630  $711,764 
        
EBITDA       
North America **$62,605  $54,276  $210,901  $87,092 
International ***1,408  771  4,169  2,895 
Total EBITDA$64,013  $55,047  $215,070  $89,987 
        
*Intersegment revenue recorded was attributable to services performed for the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, CoStar Portfolio Strategy by Grecam S.A.S. (“Grecam”), a wholly owned subsidiary of CoStar Limited, the Company’s wholly owned U.K. holding company. Intersegment revenue is recorded at an amount the Company believes approximates fair value. North America EBITDA includes a corresponding cost for the services performed by Grecam.
        
**North America EBITDA includes an allocation of approximately $17,000 and $191,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. North America EBITDA includes an allocation of approximately $396,000 and $954,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. This allocation represents costs incurred for International employees involved in development activities of the Company’s North America operating segment.
        
***International EBITDA includes a corporate allocation of approximately $75,000 and $56,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  International EBITDA includes a corporate allocation of approximately $321,000 and $256,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. This allocation represents costs incurred for North America employees involved in management and expansion activities of the Company’s International operating segment.
 


CoStar Group, Inc.
Revenues by Services-Unaudited
(in thousands)
         
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
         
Information and analytics        
CoStar Suite $106,487  $93,509  $408,456  $360,440 
Information services 18,842  19,375  77,178  75,790 
Online marketplaces        
Multifamily 60,083  50,443  224,835  160,630 
Commercial property and land 32,899  29,682  127,161  114,904 
Total revenues $218,311  $193,009  $837,630  $711,764 
                 


CoStar Group, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures with 2015-2016 Quarterly Results - Unaudited
(in millions, except per share data)
           
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP Net Income
           
  2015 2016
  Q1Q2Q3Q4 Q1Q2Q3Q4
           
Net income (loss) $(6.1)$(15.0)$(5.4)$23.0  $16.7 $15.6 $23.2 $29.6 
Income tax expense (benefit), net 0.6 (7.4)2.6 10.2  11.2 10.2 14.2 16.0 
Income (loss) before income taxes (5.5)(22.4)(2.8)33.2  27.9 25.8 37.4 45.5 
Purchase amortization and other related costs 13.5 13.5 17.1 13.9  11.9 11.5 11.3 10.8 
Stock-based compensation expense 7.4 8.4 9.3 9.4  8.3 9.3 9.3 9.4 
Acquisition and integration related costs 0.6 2.9 1.8 1.0  1.5 0.8   
Restructuring and related costs   2.3 (0.3)   0.1 1.8 
Settlements and impairments 1.4 1.4        
Non-GAAP income before income taxes 17.4 3.9 27.7 57.2  49.6 47.5 58.1 67.5 
Assumed rate for income tax expense, net * 38%38%38%38% 38%38%38%38%
Assumed provision for income tax expense, net (6.6)(1.5)(10.5)(21.7) (18.9)(18.0)(22.1)(25.6)
Non-GAAP net income $10.8 $2.4 $17.2 $35.5  $30.7 $29.4 $36.0 $41.8 
           
Non-GAAP net income per share - diluted** $0.34 $0.08 $0.53 $1.10  $0.95 $0.91 $1.11 $1.29 
           
Weighted average outstanding  shares - basic 31.8 32.0 32.0 32.0  32.1 32.2 32.2 32.2 
Weighted average outstanding  shares - diluted** 32.2 32.3 32.2 32.3  32.4 32.4 32.4 32.5 
           
* A 38% tax rate is assumed in order to approximate the Company's long-term effective corporate tax rate.
** For periods with GAAP net losses and non-GAAP net income, the weighted-average outstanding shares used to calculate non-GAAP net income per share includes potentially dilutive securities that were excluded from the calculation of GAAP net income per share as the effect was anti-dilutive.
    
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
           
  2015 2016
  Q1Q2Q3Q4 Q1Q2Q3Q4
           
Net income (loss) $(6.1)$(15.0)$(5.4)$23.0  $16.7 $15.6 $23.2 $29.6 
Purchase amortization 13.5 13.5 17.1 13.9  11.9 11.5 11.3 10.8 
Depreciation and other amortization 4.3 5.1 5.4 5.7  5.6 5.9 6.8 6.3 
Interest and other income (0.3)(0.1)(0.0)(0.1) (0.1)(0.2)(0.3)(1.2)
Interest and other expense 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.3  2.5 2.5 2.5 2.6 
Income tax expense (benefit), net 0.6 (7.4)2.6 10.2  11.2 10.2 14.2 15.9 
EBITDA $14.3 $(1.5)$22.1 $55.0  $47.8 $45.6 $57.7 $64.0 
Stock-based compensation expense 7.4 8.4 9.3 9.4  8.3 9.3 9.3 9.4 
Acquisition and integration related costs 0.6 2.9 1.8 1.0  1.5 0.8   
Restructuring and related costs   2.3 (0.3)   0.1 1.8 
Settlements and impairments 1.4 1.4        
Adjusted EBITDA $23.7 $11.2 $35.5 $65.1  $57.6 $55.7 $67.1 $75.2 
                           


CoStar Group, Inc.
Reconciliation of Forward-Looking Guidance-Unaudited
(in thousands, except per share data)
         
Reconciliation of Forward-Looking Guidance, Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income
  Guidance Range Guidance Range
  For the Three Months For the Twelve Months
  Ended March 31, 2017 Ended December 31, 2017
  Low High Low High
         
Net income $16,400  $18,700  $92,000  $96,000 
Income tax expense, net 10,900  12,500  59,100  61,600 
Income before income taxes 27,300  31,200  151,100  157,600 
Purchase amortization and other related costs 10,600  10,600  33,000  33,000 
Stock-based compensation expense 10,000  9,000  37,000  36,000 
Acquisition and integration related costs        
Restructuring and related costs        
Settlements and Impairments        
Non-GAAP income before income taxes 47,900  50,800  221,100  226,600 
Assumed rate for income tax expense, net * 38% 38% 38% 38%
Assumed provision for income tax expense, net (18,200) (19,300) (84,000) (86,100)
Non-GAAP net income $29,700  $31,500  $137,100  $140,500 
         
Net income per share - diluted $0.51  $0.58  $2.80  $2.93 
Non-GAAP net income per share - diluted $0.92  $0.97  $4.18  $4.28 
         
Weighted average outstanding  shares - diluted 32,400  32,400  32,800  32,800 
         
* A 38% tax rate is assumed in order to approximate the Company's long-term effective corporate tax rate.
         
Reconciliation of Forward-Looking Guidance, Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA 
     
  Guidance Range Guidance Range
  For the Three Months For the Twelve Months
  Ended March 31, 2017 Ended December 31, 2017
  Low High Low High
Net income $16,400  $18,700  $92,000  $96,000 
Purchase amortization and other related costs 10,600  10,600  33,000  33,000 
Depreciation and other amortization 6,500  6,500  27,500  27,500 
Interest and other expense (income), net 2,500  2,500  10,900  10,900 
Income tax expense, net 10,900  12,500  59,100  61,600 
Stock-based compensation expense 10,000  9,000  37,000  36,000 
Acquisition and integration related costs        
Restructuring and related costs        
Settlements and impairments        
Adjusted EBITDA $56,900  $59,800  $259,500  $265,000 
                 

About CoStar Group, Inc.

CoStar Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSGP) is the leading provider of commercial real estate information, analytics and online marketplaces. Founded in 1987, CoStar conducts expansive, ongoing research to produce and maintain the largest and most comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. Our suite of online services enables clients to analyze, interpret and gain unmatched insight on commercial property values, market conditions and current availabilities. LoopNet is the most heavily trafficked commercial real estate marketplace online with more than 10 million registered members. Apartments.com, ApartmentFinder.com, ApartmentHomeLiving.com, and Westside Rentals form the premier online apartment resource for renters seeking great apartment homes and provide property managers and owners a proven platform for marketing their properties. Through an exclusive partnership with Move, a subsidiary of News Corporation, Apartments.com is the exclusive provider of apartment community listings across Move’s family of websites, which include realtor.com®, doorsteps.com and move.com.  CoStar Group’s websites attracted an average of nearly 24 million unique monthly visitors in aggregate in 2016. Headquartered in Washington, DC, CoStar maintains offices throughout the U.S. and in Europe and Canada with a staff of over 3,000 worldwide, including the industry’s largest professional research organization. For more information, visit www.costargroup.com.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about CoStar Group's financial expectations, the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements including words such as “hope,” "anticipate," "may," "believe," "expect," "intend," "will," "should," "plan," "estimate," "predict," "continue" and "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management of CoStar Group and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause or contribute to such differences:  the risk that the trends stated or implied by this release cannot or will not be sustained at the current pace, including trends related to sales, bookings, earnings, margin, profitability, revenue, research productivity, unique visitors, and total visits; the risk that the Company is unable to sustain current revenue and earnings growth rates or increase them; the risk that the Company is unable to achieve its stated revenue and margin goals as and when expected; the risk that the Company is unable to hire or maintain the number of employees expected in Richmond or maintain the increased research productivity; the risk that the acquisition of Westside Rentals does not produce the expected results; the risk that the launch of Apartamentos.com does not achieve the expected results; the risk that the CoStar Suite offering does not produce the growth expected as a result of the LoopNet and CoStar integration and conversion of LoopNet users to CoStar; the risk that investments made in 2017 in connection with the LoopNet integration and conversion do not produce sustained high levels of growth in the core CoStar information business as expected; the risk that the Company’s plans with respect to the integration of the LoopNet and CoStar databases and conversion of LoopNet information subscribers to CoStar information services and the related sales efforts change or that those integration and conversion efforts are not completed as or when expected; the risk that the Company’s plans to reinvest recent margin gains change; the risk that revenues for the first quarter and full year 2017 will not be as stated in this press release; the risk that net income for the first quarter and full year 2017 will not be as stated in this press release; the risk that non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share for the first quarter and full year 2017 will not be as stated in this press release; the risk that adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter and full year 2017 will not be as stated in this press release; the risk that costs actually incurred in connection with the Xceligent litigation differ from estimates set forth in this release, which differences may be material; the risk that the Company’s plans with respect to discontinuation of the current Westside Rentals revenue model change; the risk that the impact of the acquisition of Westside Rentals on the Company’s outlook differs from expectations; the risk that actual dilution as a result of discontinuation of the current Westside Rentals subscription model and potential increased advertising revenue for Apartments.com in Southern California differ from expectations, which differences may be material.  Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements can be found in CoStar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, each of which is filed with the SEC, including in the “Risk Factors” section of those filings, and the Company’s other filings with the SEC available at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). CoStar assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 


            

Contact Data