Document


________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018

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: 000-26427
Stamps.com Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
 
77-0454966
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1990 E. Grand Avenue
El Segundo, California 90245
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

(310) 482-5800
(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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) 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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth 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. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐   No ☑

As of July 31, 2018, there were 18,154,722 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock issued and outstanding.





STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
   
Page
 
 
 
ITEM 1.
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 2.
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 3.
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 1.
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM1A.
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 2.
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 3.
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 4.
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 5.
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 6.


Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
  
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
282,868

 
$
153,903

Accounts receivable, net
67,437

 
80,797

Current income taxes
23,204

 
22,344

Other current assets
16,488

 
14,449

Total current assets
389,997

 
271,493

Property and equipment, net
36,757

 
37,507

Goodwill
239,705

 
239,705

Intangible assets, net
72,984

 
80,990

Deferred income taxes, net
41,110

 
43,148

Other assets
7,783

 
6,261

Total assets
$
788,336

 
$
679,104

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
102,144

 
$
103,076

Deferred revenue
3,922

 
3,871

Current portion of debt, net of debt issuance costs
9,423

 
8,392

Total current liabilities
115,489

 
115,339

Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs
55,673

 
60,642

Other liabilities
6,588

 
5,310

Total liabilities
177,750

 
181,291

Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)


 


Stockholders' equity:
 

 
 

Common stock, $.001 par value per share
 

 
 

Authorized shares: 47,500 in 2018 and 2017
 
 
 

Issued shares: 32,951 in 2018 and 32,177 in 2017
 

 
 

Outstanding shares: 18,151 in 2018 and 17,573 in 2017
55

 
55

Additional paid-in capital
1,022,608

 
962,227

Treasury stock, at cost, 14,800 shares in 2018 and 14,604 in 2017
(427,721
)
 
(387,545
)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
15,638

 
(76,930
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
6

 
6

Total stockholders' equity
610,586

 
497,813

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
788,336

 
$
679,104

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1

Table of Contents

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service
$
125,206

 
$
102,685

 
$
246,122

 
$
195,105

Product
4,892

 
4,763

 
10,571

 
10,477

Insurance
4,293

 
4,393

 
8,661

 
8,833

Customized postage
5,218

 
4,276

 
7,798

 
6,718

Other
18


23

 
40

 
47

Total revenues
139,627

 
116,140

 
273,192

 
221,180

Cost of revenues (exclusive of amortization of intangible assets, which is included in general and administrative expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Service
22,610


12,726

 
43,259

 
25,402

Product
1,480


1,593

 
3,231

 
3,395

Insurance
1,014


1,213

 
2,012

 
2,581

Customized postage
4,338


3,557

 
6,467

 
5,449

Total cost of revenues
29,442

 
19,089

 
54,969

 
36,827

Gross profit
110,185

 
97,051

 
218,223

 
184,353

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales and marketing
25,789

 
22,280

 
51,537

 
45,430

Research and development
12,340

 
11,628

 
24,413

 
22,150

General and administrative
25,187

 
21,451

 
46,203

 
40,433

Total operating expenses
63,316

 
55,359

 
122,153

 
108,013

Income from operations
46,869

 
41,692

 
96,070

 
76,340

Interest expense
(650
)
 
(932
)
 
(1,240
)
 
(1,812
)
Interest and other income
43

 
159

 
92

 
189

Income before income taxes  
46,262

 
40,919

 
94,922

 
74,717

Income tax expense  
738

 
9,879

 
2,354

 
10,539

Net income
$
45,524

 
$
31,040

 
$
92,568

 
$
64,178

Net income per share:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic  
$
2.53


$
1.83

 
$
5.19

 
$
3.79

Diluted
$
2.41


$
1.71

 
$
4.95

 
$
3.54

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
18,015

 
16,930

 
17,830

 
16,916

Diluted
18,906

 
18,125

 
18,709

 
18,147


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2

Table of Contents

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net income
$
45,524

 
$
31,040

 
$
92,568

 
$
64,178

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Unrealized loss on investments
(1
)
 
(2
)
 

 
(4
)
Comprehensive income
$
45,523

 
$
31,038

 
$
92,568

 
$
64,174

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
92,568

 
$
64,178

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
10,614

 
10,626

Stock-based compensation expense
17,439

 
22,335

Deferred income tax expense
2,038

 
5,838

Accretion of debt issuance costs
186

 
186

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired:
 

 
 

Accounts receivable
13,360

 
(3,140
)
Other current assets
(2,039
)
 
(10,107
)
Current income taxes
(860
)
 

Other assets
(1,522
)
 
(1,621
)
Deferred revenue
51

 
(7
)
Other liabilities
1,278

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
3,240

 
(9,799
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
136,353

 
78,489

 
 
 
 
Investing activities:
 

 
 

Sale of short-term investments

 
1,502

Sale of long-term investments

 
10

Purchase of long-term investments

 
(4
)
Acquisition of property and equipment
(1,223
)
 
(4,360
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,223
)
 
(2,852
)
 
 
 
 
Financing activities:
 

 
 

Proceeds from short term financing obligation, net of repayments
(664
)
 
(524
)
Principal payments on term loan
(4,124
)
 
(3,094
)
Payment on revolving credit facility

 
(10,000
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
40,962

 
28,641

Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan
1,981

 
1,469

Repurchase of common stock
(40,176
)
 
(87,919
)
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation
(4,144
)
 
(799
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(6,165
)
 
(72,226
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
128,965

 
3,411

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
153,903

 
106,932

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
282,868

 
$
110,343

 
 
 
 
Supplemental information:
 

 
 

Capital expenditures accrued but not paid at period end
$
65

 
$
376

Tenant improvement allowance
$
600

 
$
848

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 

1.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

We prepared the consolidated financial statements included herein pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. We believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We recommend that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2018.

In our opinion, these unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly our financial position as of June 30, 2018, our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, and our cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2018.  The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include all the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of Stamps.com Inc. and the entities in which we have 100% voting and/or economic control, which includes Auctane LLC (ShipStation), Interapptive, Inc. (ShipWorks), PSI Systems Inc. (Endicia), ShippingEasy Group, Inc. (ShippingEasy) and PhotoStamps Inc. In July 2016, we completed our acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of ShippingEasy. Please see Note 2 - “Acquisitions” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further description. 
Intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements. Significant estimates and judgments inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include estimates of loss contingencies and the realizability of deferred income taxes.
Business Combinations

The acquisition method of accounting is used for business combinations. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements prospectively from the date of acquisition. The fair value of purchase consideration is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired entity and is generally based on their fair value at the acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Historically, the primary items that have generated goodwill include anticipated synergies between the acquired business and the Company and the acquired assembled workforce, neither of which qualifies for recognition as an intangible asset. Acquisition-related expenses are recognized in our consolidated financial statements as incurred.


5

Table of Contents
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Contingencies and Litigation

In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to various routine litigation matters as a claimant and a defendant. We record any amounts recovered in these matters when received. We establish loss provisions for claims against us when the loss is both probable and can be reasonably estimated.  If either or both of the criteria are not met, we assess whether there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss, or additional losses, may have been incurred. If there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or additional loss may have been incurred for such proceedings, we disclose the estimate of the amount of loss or possible range of loss, or disclose that an estimate of loss cannot be made, as applicable.

Deferred Revenue

Our deferred revenue relates mainly to service revenue, which generally arises due to the timing of payment versus the provision of services for certain customers billed in advance. Approximately $2.4 million of revenue recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2018 was included in the deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2017.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Carrying amounts of certain of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The Company’s outstanding debt held by third-party financial institutions is carried at cost, adjusted for debt issuance costs. The Company’s debt is not publicly traded and the carrying amount typically approximates fair value for debt that accrues interest at a variable rate for companies with similar financial characteristics as the Company, which are considered Level 2 fair value inputs as defined in Note 8 in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of consideration given over the fair value of the tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed in a business combination. We are required to test goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. A reporting unit is the operating segment or a business that is one level below that operating segment. Reporting units are aggregated as a single reporting unit if they have similar economic characteristics. We aggregated our reporting units into a single reporting unit because we determined they have similar economic characteristics.
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually on October 1 utilizing either a qualitative assessment or a two-step process. We have an option to make a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit's goodwill for impairment. If we choose to perform a qualitative assessment and determine the fair value more likely than not exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. When we perform the two-step process, the first step requires us to compare the fair value of our reporting unit, which we primarily determine using an income approach based on the present value of discounted cash flows, to the respective carrying value, which includes goodwill. If the fair value of our reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value is higher than the fair value, there is an indication that impairment may exist and the second step is required. In step two, the implied fair value of goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of our reporting unit over the fair values assigned to its assets and liabilities. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of our reporting unit's goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment loss. As of June 30, 2018, we are not aware of any indicators of impairment that would require an impairment analysis other than our annual goodwill impairment analysis.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually on October 1. In assessing other intangible assets not subject to amortization for impairment, the Company also has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of such an intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of such an intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, then the Company is not required to perform any additional tests for assessing those intangible assets for impairment. However, if the Company concludes otherwise or elects not to perform the qualitative assessment, then it is required to perform a quantitative impairment test that involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. As of June 30, 2018, we are not aware of any indicators of impairment that would require an impairment analysis other than our annual indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment analysis.

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Table of Contents
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Long-Lived Assets and Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Long-lived assets including intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
We account for property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, generally three to five years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment and ten to forty years for building and building improvements. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease.  We have a policy of capitalizing expenditures that materially increase assets' useful lives and charging ordinary maintenance and repairs to operations as incurred. When property or equipment is disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed, and any gain or loss is included in income from operations.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASC Topic No. 740, Income Taxes (Income Taxes), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Income Taxes also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our gross deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) to be realized.  In order for us to realize our deferred tax assets, we must be able to generate sufficient taxable income. We evaluate the appropriateness of our deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance in accordance with Income Taxes based on all available positive and negative evidence.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenues when we transfer control of promised goods or services to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. We account for a contract when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability of consideration is probable. Our payment terms vary by the products and services offered. The term between billings and when payment is due is not significant.

Revenues are presented on a disaggregated basis on the consolidated statements of income.

Service revenues are recognized at a point in time, as transactions are processed, or over a period of time, typically one month or less. We earn service revenue from our mailing and shipping operations in several different ways: (1) customers may pay us a monthly fee based on a subscription plan which may be waived or refunded for certain customers; (2) we may be compensated directly by the United States Postal Service (USPS) for certain qualifying customers under our USPS partnership; (3) we may earn transaction related revenue based on customers purchasing postage or printing shipping labels; (4) we may earn compensation by offering customers a discounted postage rate that is provided to the customers by our integration partners; and (5) we may earn other types of revenue shares or other compensation from specific customers or integration partners.

Customers may purchase postage and other delivery services from the USPS and other carriers through our mailing and shipping solutions.  When funds are transferred directly from customers to the carrier, these funds are not recognized as revenue. We also provide mailing and shipping services for which the cost of postage or delivery is included in the cost of the service and, therefore, is recognized as service revenue.

Product revenue consists of products sold through the mailing and shipping supplies stores which are available to our customers from within some of our mailing and shipping solutions. Products sold include shipping labels, mailing labels, dedicated postage printers, scales, and other mailing and shipping-focused office supplies. We recognize product revenue on product purchases upon delivery of the order to the customer.


7

Table of Contents
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


We provide our customers with the opportunity to purchase parcel insurance directly through our solutions. Insurance revenue represents the gross amount charged to the customer for purchasing insurance and the related cost represents the amount paid to our insurance providers. We recognize insurance revenue on insurance purchases upon the ship date of the insured package.

Customized postage revenue, which includes the face value of postage, from the sale of customized postage sheets and rolls is recognized upon transfer of control of the product to the customer, which occurs upon our delivery to the carrier.

On a limited basis, we allow third parties to offer products and promotions to our customer base. These arrangements generally provide payment in the form of a flat fee or revenue sharing arrangements where we receive payment upon customers accessing third party products and services. Total revenue from such advertising arrangements was not significant during the six months ended June 30, 2018 or 2017, respectively.

Short-Term Financing Obligations

We utilize short-term financing, which is separate from our debt, to fund certain Company operations.  Short-term financing obligations are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  As of June 30, 2018, we had $16.5 million in short-term financing obligations and $89.0 million of unused credit. As of December 31, 2017, we had $17.2 million in short-term financing obligations and $103.4 million of unused credit.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for share-based employee compensation plans under the fair value recognition and measurement provisions in accordance with applicable accounting standards, which require all share-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs), to be measured based on the grant date fair value of the awards, with the resulting expense generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the period during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for the award.

We account for forfeitures as they occur. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, in 2017, share-based compensation expense was recorded net of estimated forfeitures, which were based on historical forfeitures and adjusted to reflect changes in facts and circumstances, if any.

We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant, which requires us to use a number of complex estimates and subjective assumptions, including stock price volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rates, and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. In the case of options we grant, our assumption of expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our stock price over the term equal to the expected life of the options. We base the risk-free interest rate on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the options assumed at the date of grant.  The estimated expected life represents the weighted average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding, determined based on an analysis of historical exercise behavior.

Trademarks and Other Intangible Assets (excluding Goodwill)

Acquired trademarks and other intangibles (excluding goodwill) include both amortizable and non-amortizable assets and are included in intangible assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Cost associated with internally developed intangible assets is typically expensed as incurred as research and development costs. Amortization of amortizable intangible assets is calculated on a straight-line basis, which is consistent with the expected future cash flows.  

Treasury Stock

During the six months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017, we repurchased approximately 174,000 shares and 730,000 shares for $36.0 million and $87.9 million, respectively. Also, in the first quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2017, we withheld 21,076 and 6,670 of shares, respectively, to satisfy income tax obligations related to performance-based inducement equity awards issued to the General Manager and the then Chief Technology Officer of ShippingEasy as described in Note 2 - “Acquisitions.”


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Table of Contents
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2018

Definition of a Business

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, guidance that changes the definition of a business for accounting purposes. Under the new guidance, an entity first determines whether substantially all of the fair value of a set of assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If this threshold is met, the set of assets is not deemed to be a business. If this threshold is not met, the entity then evaluates whether the set of assets meets the requirement to be deemed a business, which at minimum, requires there to be an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. The guidance became effective on a prospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company's adoption of the guidance on January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Modification of Share-Based Payments

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, guidance that clarifies when changes to the terms and conditions of share-based awards must be accounted for as modifications. The guidance does not change the accounting treatment for modifications. The guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and was adopted on a prospective basis. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
    
Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, an updated standard on revenue recognition. This ASU superseded the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance.  ASU 2014-09 provides enhancements to the quality and consistency of how revenue is reported while also improving comparability in the financial statements of companies reporting using U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards.  The core principle of the new standard is for companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies may be required to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current authoritative guidance.
 
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the guidance under the modified retrospective method. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, a standard which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.  The guidance will become effective on a prospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2020 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, a new accounting standard for leases. The new standard generally requires the recognition of financing and operating lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets on the balance sheet. For financing leases, a lessee recognizes amortization of the right-of-use asset as an operating expense over the lease term separately from interest on the lease liability. For operating leases, a lessee recognizes its total lease expense as an operating expense over the lease term. The amendments are effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019 using a modified retrospective approach with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.


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STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


2.    Acquisitions

We have accounted for all of our acquisitions under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic No. 805, Business Combinations.

ShippingEasy Acquisition

On July 1, 2016, we completed our acquisition of ShippingEasy Group, Inc. (ShippingEasy). The net purchase price including adjustments for net working capital totaled approximately $55.4 million and was funded from current cash and investment balances.

In connection with the acquisition, we agreed to issue performance-based inducement equity awards to the General Manager and the then Chief Technology Officer of ShippingEasy. These inducement awards cover an aggregate of up to 87,134 common shares if earnings targets for ShippingEasy are achieved over a two and one-half year period which began July 1, 2016. The awards are subject to proration if at least 75% of the applicable target is achieved and are subject to forfeiture or acceleration based on changes in employment circumstances over the performance period.

In fiscal 2016, we determined the achievement of 100% of the earnings target for the six months ended December 31, 2016 was met, therefore, we recognized approximately $1.9 million of stock-based compensation expense, representing 21,783 shares, for these inducement equity awards during the six months ended December 31, 2016. The equity award for the first phase was issued in the first quarter of 2017 with 15,113 shares distributed and 6,670 shares withheld to satisfy income tax obligations. In fiscal 2017, we determined the achievement of 100% of the earnings target for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 was met, therefore, we recognized approximately $4.9 million of stock-based compensation expense, representing 56,638 shares, for these inducement equity awards during the year ended December 31, 2017. The equity award for the second phase was issued in the first quarter of 2018 with 35,562 shares distributed and 21,076 shares withheld to satisfy income tax obligations. As of the second quarter of 2018, we estimated the achievement of 100% of the earnings target for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 is probable, therefore, we recognized approximately $189,000 and $379,000 of stock-based compensation expense for these inducement equity awards during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The $379,000 of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2018 represents 50% of the total performance-based equity award for the third phase.

We also issued inducement stock option grants for an aggregate of approximately 62,000 shares of Stamps.com common stock to 48 new employees in connection with our acquisition of ShippingEasy.

3.    Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

We are subject to various routine legal proceedings and claims incidental to our business, and we do not believe that these proceedings and claims would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

On February 8, 2018, a putative class action complaint was filed against us in a case entitled Juan Lopez and Nicholas Dixon v. Stamps.com, Inc., Case No. 2:18-cv-01101, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, alleging wage and hour claims on behalf of our current and former “non-exempt” hourly call center employees. The complaint sought class certification, unspecified damages, unpaid wages, penalties, restitution, interest, and attorneys’ fees and costs. On July 24, 2018, we entered into a preliminary settlement that would resolve this matter for a non-material payment to be distributed to the participating class members. This preliminary settlement remains subject to court approval.

The Company accrued an immaterial amount related to the Company's legal proceedings as of June 30, 2018. The Company had not accrued any amounts related to any of the Company’s legal proceedings as of December 31, 2017.

Although management at present believes that the ultimate outcome of the various routine proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not materially harm our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or overall trends, legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings or other events could occur. An unfavorable outcome for an amount in excess of management's present expectations may result in a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial position, and overall trends.


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STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Commitments

The Company leases facilities pursuant to noncancelable operating lease agreements expiring through 2028. Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease incentives are amortized over the lease term on a straight-line basis. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease.  Rent expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was approximately $900,000 and $1.8 million, respectively.  Rent expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was approximately $900,000 and $1.9 million, respectively.

The following table is a schedule of our significant contractual obligations and commercial commitments (other than debt commitments), which consist of minimum operating lease payments as of June 30, 2018 (in thousands):
 
Twelve Month Period Ending June 30,
Operating
Lease Obligations
2019
$
4,391

2020
4,201

2021
4,192

2022
2,999

2023
2,819

Thereafter
4,871

Total
$
23,473

 
4.    Net Income per Share

The following table reconciles share amounts utilized to calculate basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net income
$
45,524

 
$
31,040

 
$
92,568

 
$
64,178

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic - weighted average common shares
18,015

 
16,930

 
17,830

 
16,916

Diluted effect of common stock equivalents
891

 
1,195

 
879

 
1,231

Diluted - weighted average common shares
18,906

 
18,125

 
18,709

 
18,147

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic
2.53

 
1.83

 
5.19

 
3.79

Diluted
2.41

 
1.71

 
4.95

 
3.54

 
The calculation of dilutive shares excludes the effect of the following options that are considered anti-dilutive (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Anti-dilutive stock options
67

 
42

 
81

 
42


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STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


5.    Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation expense for employee stock options granted is generally recognized using the straight-line method over their respective vesting periods of up to five years. Starting in the third quarter of fiscal 2016, our stock-based compensation expense included performance-based inducement equity awards relating to the ShippingEasy acquisition as described in Note 2 - "Acquisitions."

The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense that we recognized for the periods indicated (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Stock-based compensation expense relating to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options
$
9,507

 
$
10,723

 
$
16,698

 
$
21,858

Employee stock purchases
383

 
245

 
740

 
477

Total stock-based compensation expense
$
9,890

 
$
10,968

 
$
17,438

 
$
22,335

Stock-based compensation expense relating to:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of revenues
$
730

 
$
445

 
$
1,213

 
$
993

Sales and marketing
1,484

 
1,975

 
3,002

 
4,282

Research and development
1,665

 
2,221

 
3,592

 
4,717

General and administrative
6,011

 
6,327

 
9,631

 
12,343

Total stock-based compensation expense
$
9,890

 
$
10,968

 
$
17,438

 
$
22,335


The following are the weighted average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model for the periods indicated:
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Expected dividend yield
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
Risk-free interest rate
2.6
%
 
1.5
%
 
2.4
%
 
1.5
%
Expected volatility
50.7
%
 
46.1
%
 
50.6
%
 
46.4
%
Expected life (in years)
3.3

 
3.4

 
3.4

 
3.4


6.    Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of consideration given over the fair value of the tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations.

Goodwill was approximately $239.7 million as of both June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

We have amortizable and non-amortizable intangible assets consisting of trademarks, trade names, developed technology, non-compete agreements, customer relationships, and other totaling approximately $125.4 million in gross carrying amount as of both June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.  Non-amortizable assets of $11.4 million as of both June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consist primarily of the trade name relating to the Endicia acquisition.


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STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


The following table summarizes our amortizable intangible assets as of June 30, 2018 (in thousands, except years):

 
Gross
Carrying
 Amount
 
Accumulated
 Amortization
 
Net Carrying
Amount
 
Remaining weighted average amortization period (years)
Patents and Others
$
8,889

 
$
8,843

 
$
46

 
1.0
Customer Relationships
60,816

 
27,156

 
33,660

 
3.4
Technology
40,048

 
13,895

 
26,153

 
5.4
Non-Compete
2,211

 
1,525

 
686

 
1.9
Trademark
2,004

 
954

 
1,050

 
5.5
Total amortizable intangible assets at June 30, 2018
$
113,968

 
$
52,373

 
$
61,595

 
4.2

The following table summarizes our amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands, except years):

 
Gross
Carrying
 Amount
 
Accumulated
 Amortization
 
Net Carrying
Amount
 
Remaining weighted average amortization period (years)
Patents and Others
$
8,889

 
$
8,820

 
$
69

 
1.5
Customer Relationships
60,816

 
22,170

 
38,646

 
3.9
Technology
40,048

 
11,297

 
28,751

 
5.9
Non-Compete
2,211

 
1,280

 
931

 
2.0
Trademark
2,004

 
800

 
1,204

 
4.6
Total amortizable intangible assets at December 31, 2017
$
113,968

 
$
44,367

 
$
69,601

 
4.6
 
We recorded amortization of intangible assets totaling approximately $4.0 million and $8.0 million for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets is included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Our estimated amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):
Twelve Month Period Ending June 30,
Estimated
Amortization
Expense
2019
$
15,667

2020
15,579

2021
15,231

2022
7,783

2023
3,063

Thereafter
4,272

Total
$
61,595


7.    Income Taxes

Our income tax expense was $0.7 million and $2.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily due to (a) our pre-tax income multiplied by an estimated annual effective tax rate and (b) discrete tax benefits related to the exercises of stock awards of approximately $10.2 million and $20.9 million, respectively. Our income tax expense was $9.9 million and $10.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was primarily due to (a) our pre-tax income multiplied by an estimated annual effective tax rate and (b) discrete tax benefits related to the exercises of stock awards of approximately $5.7 million and $18.3 million, respectively.


13



Our effective income tax rate differs from the statutory income tax rate primarily as a result of permanent tax adjustments for tax benefits from exercises of stock awards and research and development tax credits, as well as nondeductible items and state taxes.  As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we have recorded a valuation allowance of $572,000 and $410,000 against certain state research and development credits for which we believe it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized.

We recorded provisional amounts as of December 31, 2017 related to certain income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted December 22, 2017 under guidance set forth in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118). These amounts have not been adjusted as of June 30, 2018, and we will continue to monitor any changes to the provisional amounts during the measurement period or until the accounting is complete. Any subsequent adjustment to these amounts will be recorded to current tax expense in the quarters of 2018 when the analysis is complete.

8.    Fair Value Measurements

Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are classified in one of the three categories described below:

Level 1 - Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in an active market

Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets where trading occurs infrequently or whose values are based on quoted prices of instruments with similar attributes in active markets
 
Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and involve management judgment and our own assumptions about market participants and pricing

The following tables summarize our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
 
 
 
 
Description
June 30, 2018
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
 for Identical
 Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
 Inputs
(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
282,868

 
$
282,868

 

 

Total
$
282,868

 
$
282,868

 

 


 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
 
 
 
 
Description
December 31, 2017
 
Quoted Prices in
 Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
 Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
 Inputs
(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
153,903

 
$
153,903

 

 

Total
$
153,903

 
$
153,903

 
$

 

 

9.    Cash and Cash Equivalents

Our cash equivalents consisted of money market funds at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. We consider all highly liquid investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had no material investments.


14

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STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


The following tables summarize our cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
   
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
$
276,298

 

 

 
$
276,298

 
Money market
6,570

 

 

 
6,570

 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
282,868

 

 

 
$
282,868

 
 
December 31, 2017
   
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
$
147,386

 

 

 
$
147,386

Money market
6,517

 

 

 
6,517

Cash and cash equivalents
$
153,903

 

 

 
$
153,903


10.    Subsequent Events

We are not aware of any material subsequent events or transactions that have occurred that would require recognition in the financial statements or disclosure in the notes to the financial statements, except as described below and as described in Note 3 - "Commitments and Contingencies - Legal Proceedings" of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

MetaPack Acquisition

On July 24, 2018, we entered into a definitive agreement to purchase, through a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary, 100% of the issued and to be issued share capital of MetaPack Limited, a private United Kingdom-based company (MetaPack) which provides multi-carrier enterprise-level solutions to e-commerce retailers and brands, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately £175 million (which, at the time of signing, was approximately $230 million).

Completion of the transactions contemplated by the definitive agreement and the related agreements is conditioned only on delivery of MetaPack’s unqualified audited (under UK GAAP) consolidated accounts for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, and we expect this to close in mid to late August 2018.

The acquisition will be funded entirely from current cash balances. We plan for MetaPack, while operating as our wholly owned subsidiary, to continue to be led by members of its existing management team.

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ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this "Report") contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). You can find many (but not all) of these statements by looking for words such as "approximates," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "seeks," "intends," "plans," "could," "would," "may" or other similar expressions in this Report. Our forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance and include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our business strategy, future commercial revenues, market growth, capital requirements, new product introductions, expansion plans and the adequacy of our funding. Other statements contained in this Report that are not historical facts are also forward-looking statements.

We claim the protection of the safe harbor contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  We caution investors that any forward-looking statements presented in this Report, or that we may make orally or in writing from time to time, are based on beliefs and assumptions made by us and information available to us at the time made.  Such statements are based on assumptions, and the actual outcome will be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties, and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance, and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements to anticipate future results or trends.

Please refer to the risk factors under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 as well as those described elsewhere in this Report (including in Item 1A of Part II of this Report) and in our other public filings.  The risks included are not exhaustive, and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance. We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. This Report and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Report.

Our registered trademarks include Stamps.com, Endicia, ShipStation, Auctane, ShipWorks, ShippingEasy, NetStamps, PhotoStamps, and the Stamps.com logo. This Report also references trademarks of other entities.  References in this Report to "we" "us" "our" or "Company" are references to Stamps.com Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Overview

Stamps.com® is a leading provider of Internet-based mailing and shipping solutions in the United States. Under the Stamps.com and Endicia® brands, customers use our USPS only solutions to mail and ship a variety of mail pieces and packages through the USPS.  Customers using our solutions receive discounted postage rates compared to USPS.com and USPS retail locations on certain mail pieces such as First Class letters and domestic and international Priority Mail® and Priority Mail Express® packages.  Stamps.com was the first ever USPS-approved PC Postage vendor to offer a software only mailing and shipping solution in 1999.  Endicia became a USPS-approved PC Postage vendor in 2000. Under the ShipStation®, ShipWorks®, and ShippingEasy® brands, customers use our multi-carrier solutions to ship packages through multiple carriers such as the USPS, UPS, FedEx, and others. Our customers include individuals, small businesses, home offices, medium-size businesses, large enterprises, e-commerce merchants, and warehouse shippers.

Mailing and Shipping Business References

When we refer to our "mailing and shipping business," we are referring to our mailing and shipping products and services including our USPS and multi-carrier mailing and shipping solutions, mailing and shipping integrations, mailing and shipping supplies stores, and branded insurance offerings. We do not include our customized postage business when we refer to our mailing and shipping business. When we refer to our "mailing and shipping revenue," we are referring to our service, product, and insurance revenue generated by our mailing and shipping customers. We do not include our customized postage revenue generated by our customized postage business in our "mailing and shipping revenue."


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Table of Contents

Services and Products

Mailing and Shipping Business

We offer the following mailing and shipping products and services to our customers under the Stamps.com, Endicia, ShipStation, ShipWorks, and ShippingEasy brands:

USPS Mailing and Shipping Solutions

Under the Stamps.com and Endicia brands, customers use our USPS-approved mailing and shipping solutions to mail and ship a variety of mail pieces and packages through the USPS.  Customers can purchase and print postage 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through our software or web interfaces. Typically, customers fund an account balance prior to using our service.

Our USPS mailing and shipping solutions enable users to print "electronic postage" directly onto envelopes, plain paper, or labels using only a standard personal computer, printer, and Internet connection. Our solutions support a variety of USPS mail classes including First Class Mail®, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Media Mail®, Parcel Select®, and others. Customers can also add USPS Special Services to their mail pieces, such as USPS Tracking®, Signature Confirmation, Registered Mail®, Certified Mail®, Insured Mail, Return Receipt, Collect on Delivery, and Restricted Delivery. Our customers can print postage (1) on NetStamps® or DYMO Stamps® labels, which can be used just like regular stamps, (2) on envelopes and postcards or on labels in a single step process that saves time and provides a professional look, (3) on plain 8.5" x 11" paper or on special labels for packages, and (4) on integrated customs forms for international mail and packages.
                                                          
Our mailing and shipping solutions incorporate address verification technology that verifies each destination address for mail or packages sent using our solutions against a database of all known addresses in the United States. Our mailing and shipping solutions are also integrated with common small business and productivity software applications such as word processing, contact and address management, and accounting and financial applications. Our shipping solutions feature integrations with hundreds of partners and carriers including popular shipping management products, shopping carts, online marketplaces, and other e-commerce solutions.

We target different customer categories with service plans that provide various features and capabilities. We target smaller offices, home offices, and smaller online sellers that need a more basic set of mailing and shipping features. We target larger enterprises that need a richer set of mailing capabilities such as multiple-user functionality, automated Certified Mail forms, additional reference codes and higher allowable postage balances. We target shippers such as e-commerce merchants, online retailers, fulfillment houses, warehouses, and large retailers that need shipping specific features such as direct integration into the customer's order databases, faster label printing speed, and the ability to customize and save shipping profiles. We target large corporations with multiple geographic locations that need enhanced reporting and the ability for a central location, such as a corporate headquarters, to have greater visibility and control over postage expenditures across their distributed network of locations.  We target large volume mailers that need features designed for presort mail, Certified Mail, and bulk address updating.

Customers typically pay us a monthly subscription fee which varies depending on their service plan. In certain circumstances, customers may be on a plan where they do not owe us any monthly service fees. Under certain plans or arrangements, customers or integration partners pay a fee per transaction for shipping labels printed.  We have arrangements with the USPS where we are compensated directly if a customer or integration partner prints certain classes and amounts of domestic or international USPS shipping labels. We may waive or refund our service fees for these or other customers. In addition, we also have service plans with lower monthly subscription fees which offer more limited functionality and are targeted at retaining customers who print a lower volume of postage. We offer service plans where customers are not charged a monthly fee but instead purchase labels for use as needed. We also offer high volume mailing products for an annual fee. We also earn compensation by offering customers a discounted postage rate that is provided to the customers by our integration partners, and we may earn other types of revenue share or other compensation from specific customers or partners.

Multi-Carrier Shipping Solutions

We offer multi-carrier shipping solutions through our ShipStation, ShipWorks, and ShippingEasy brands.  ShipStation, ShipWorks, and ShippingEasy offer leading multi-carrier solutions for shippers including e-commerce merchants, online retailers, warehouses, fulfillment houses, large retailers, and other types of shippers that use multiple carriers such as the USPS, UPS, FedEx, and others.


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Table of Contents

ShippingEasy, which we acquired on July 1, 2016, offers web-based multi-carrier shipping solutions that allow online retailers and e-commerce merchants to organize, process, fulfill, and ship their orders quickly and easily. ShippingEasy's solutions feature over 50 integrations with partners and carriers, including marketplaces, shopping carts, and e-commerce platforms, allowing its customers to import and export fulfillment and tracking data in real time across all of their selling channels. ShippingEasy's solutions download orders from all selling channels and automatically map custom shipping preferences, rates, and delivery options across all of its supported carriers. ShippingEasy's easy-to-use solutions also include complimentary access to ShippingEasy customer service shipping specialists helping merchants to streamline workflow and save on shipping costs.

ShipWorks, which we acquired on August 29, 2014, offers software-based multi-carrier shipping solutions that target e-commerce merchants, online retailers, fulfillment houses, and warehouses.  ShipWorks offers simple, powerful, and easy to use solutions for shippers. ShipWorks' solutions feature over 100 integrations with partners and carriers, including marketplaces, shopping carts and e-commerce platforms. ShipWorks offers multi-carrier shipping options and features including importing orders from any marketplace or shopping cart, easily comparing shipping rates and services, sending email notifications to buyers, updating online order status, generating reports, and many more.

ShipStation, which we acquired on June 10, 2014, offers web-based multi-carrier shipping solutions under the brand names ShipStation and Auctane® that target e-commerce merchants, online retailers, fulfillment houses, and warehouses.  ShipStation's solutions feature over 200 integrations with partners and carriers, including marketplaces, shopping carts, and e-commerce platforms. ShipStation offers multi-carrier shipping options and automation features like custom hierarchical rules and product profiles that allow customers to easily and automatically optimize their shipping. Using ShipStation, an online retailer or e-commerce merchant can ship their orders from wherever they sell and however they ship.

Mailing and Shipping Integrations

As part of our mailing and shipping services, we offer back-end integration solutions where we provide the electronic postage for transactions to partners who manage the front-end users. Our solutions integrate directly into the most popular e-commerce platforms, allowing web store managers to completely automate their order fulfillment process by processing, managing, and shipping orders from virtually any e-commerce source through a single interface without manual data entry. Managers can retrieve order data and print complete shipping labels for all types of packages.
                                                     
We have integration partnerships with the USPS where we provide electronic postage for mailing and shipping transactions generated by certain USPS-branded programs. For example, we provide the electronic postage for Click-N-Ship®, a web-based service available at USPS.com that allows USPS customers to purchase and print shipping labels for certain domestic and international mail classes or packages at no additional mark-up over the cost of postage.

In addition, ShipStation, ShipWorks, and ShippingEasy have hundreds of integrations with partners and carriers, including marketplaces, shopping carts, and e-commerce platforms as part of their multi-carrier shipping solutions.  Integrations with partners include Amazon, eBay, PayPal, Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, Volusion, ChannelAdvisor, Yahoo! Stores, and many others.  Carrier integrations include USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, Canada Post, UPS Canada, FedEx Canada, and many others.

Mailing & Shipping Supplies Stores

Stamps.com and Endicia's mailing & shipping supplies stores (our "Supplies Stores") are available to our customers from within our mailing and shipping solutions and sell NetStamps labels, DYMO Stamp labels, shipping labels, other mailing labels, dedicated postage printers, scales, and other mailing and shipping-focused office supplies. Our Supplies Stores feature store catalogs, messaging regarding free or discounted shipping promotions, cross-selling product recommendations during the checkout process, product search capabilities, and same-day shipping of orders with expedited shipping options.  Our multi-carrier solutions do not have mailing and shipping supplies stores as part of their solutions.

Branded Insurance

We offer branded insurance for USPS packages to our customers so that they may insure their mail or packages in a fully integrated, online process that eliminates any trips to the post office or the need to complete any special forms. Our branded insurance is offered by all our brands including Stamps.com, Endicia, ShipStation, ShipWorks, and ShippingEasy as part of their USPS and multi-carrier solutions. Our branded insurance is provided by our insurance providers.


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International

We offer International postage solutions for both our US domestic customers shipping outside the country and, primarily through our subsidiaries, postage solutions for customers outside the United States directly from international posts. Some of our partners include the French Post, Royal Mail, Canada Post, and Australia Post.

Customized Postage

We offer customized postage under the PhotoStamps® brand name.  Customized postage is a patented form of postage that allows consumers to turn digital photos, designs or images into valid USPS-approved postage. With these products, individuals or businesses can create customized USPS-approved postage using pictures of their children, pets, vacations, celebrations, business logos, and more. Customized postage can be used as regular postage to send letters, postcards or packages. PhotoStamps are available from our www.photostamps.com website.

Acquisitions

MetaPack
 
On July 24, 2018, we entered into a share purchase agreement pursuant to which our newly formed wholly owned subsidiary will acquire 100% of the issued and to be issued share capital of MetaPack Limited, a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately £175 million (which, at the time of signing, was approximately $230 million). Any share options to acquire MetaPack shares will either be exercised or lapse prior to the completion of the transaction, and are not being assumed by us. We are funding the purchase price entirely from our current cash balances.

Completion of the transactions contemplated by the definitive agreement and the related agreements is conditioned only on delivery of MetaPack’s unqualified audited (under UK GAAP) consolidated accounts for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, and we expect this to close in mid to late August 2018.

MetaPack is not included in our financial statements as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 since the acquisition had not closed by the period end.

ShippingEasy
 
On July 1, 2016, we completed our acquisition of ShippingEasy. The net purchase price including adjustments for net working capital totaled approximately $55.4 million and was funded from current cash and investment balances.

In connection with the acquisition, we issued performance based inducement equity awards to the General Manager and the then Chief Technology Officer of ShippingEasy. These inducement awards cover an aggregate of up to 87,134 common shares if earnings targets for ShippingEasy are achieved over a two and one-half year period which began July 1, 2016. The awards are subject to proration if at least 75% of the applicable target is achieved and are subject to forfeiture or acceleration based on changes in employment circumstances over the performance period.

We also issued inducement stock option grants for an aggregate of 62,000 shares of Stamps.com common stock to 48 new employees in connection with our acquisition of ShippingEasy.

Please see Note 2 - "Acquisitions" in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further description.


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Table of Contents

Results of Operations

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

Total revenue increased 20% to $139.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $116.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Total revenue increased 24% to $273.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $221.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. Mailing and shipping revenue, which includes service revenue, product revenue, and insurance revenue, was $134.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018, an increase of 20% from $111.8 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Mailing and shipping revenue was $265.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018, an increase of 24% from $214.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. Customized postage revenue increased 22% to $5.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $4.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Customized postage revenue increased 16% to $7.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $6.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017.

The following table sets forth the breakdown of revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 and the resulting percentage change (revenue in thousands):
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service
$
125,206

 
$
102,685

 
21.9
 %
 
$
246,122

 
$
195,105

 
26.1
 %
Product
4,892

 
4,763

 
2.7
 %
 
10,571

 
10,477

 
0.9
 %
Insurance
4,293

 
4,393

 
(2.3
)%
 
8,661

 
8,833

 
(1.9
)%
Mailing and shipping revenue
134,391

 
111,841

 
20.2
 %
 
265,354

 
214,415

 
23.8
 %
Customized postage
5,218

 
4,276

 
22.0
 %
 
7,798

 
6,718

 
16.1
 %
Other
18

 
23

 
(21.7
)%
 
40

 
47

 
(14.9
)%
Total revenues
$
139,627

 
$
116,140

 
20.2
 %
 
$
273,192

 
$
221,180

 
23.5
 %
 
We define "paid customers" for the quarter as ones from whom we successfully collected service fees or otherwise earned revenue at least once during that quarter, and we define average monthly revenue per paid customer (ARPU) as one-third of quarterly mailing and shipping revenue divided by paid customers.  We define lost paid customers (Lost Paid Customers) as customers from whom we successfully collected service fees or otherwise earned revenue at least once during the previous quarter but not during the current quarter, less recaptured paid customers. We define monthly paid customer cancellation rate (Monthly Churn) as a fraction, the numerator of which is the quotient of Lost Paid Customers in a quarter divided by the sum of paid customers in the prior quarter and new paid customers in the current quarter, and the denominator of which is three months.

The following table sets forth the number of paid customers in the period for our mailing and shipping business (in thousands):
 
Year
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
2018
740

737

2017
722

738

 
The following table sets forth the change in paid customers and average monthly revenue per paid customer for our mailing and shipping business (in thousands except average monthly revenue per paid customer and percentage):
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Paid customers for the quarter
737

 
738

 
(0.2
)%
Average monthly revenue per paid customer
$
60.79

 
$
50.51

 
20.4
 %
Mailing and shipping revenue
$
134,391

 
$
111,841

 
20.2
 %


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The number of paid customers was approximately flat in the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 primarily as a result of our strategic shift to focusing on the acquisition of high-volume shipper customers, which are numerically fewer, but generally have a much higher lifetime value.
                                                             
The increase in our average monthly revenue per paid customer was primarily the result of the growth in our shipping business where we have the ability to better monetize postage volume as compared to monthly flat rate subscription fees and growth in international service offerings to our domestic customers.
 
Revenue by Product

The following table shows our components of revenue and their respective percentages of total revenue for the periods indicated (in thousands except percentage):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service
$
125,206

 
$
102,685

 
$
246,122

 
$
195,105

Product
4,892

 
4,763

 
10,571

 
10,477

Insurance
4,293

 
4,393

 
8,661

 
8,833

Customized postage
5,218

 
4,276

 
7,798

 
6,718

Other
18

 
23

 
40

 
47

Total revenues
$
139,627

 
$
116,140

 
$
273,192

 
$
221,180

Revenue as a percentage of total revenues
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Service
89.7
%
 
88.4
%
 
90.1
%
 
88.2
%
Product
3.5
%
 
4.1
%
 
3.9
%
 
4.8
%
Insurance
3.1
%
 
3.8
%
 
3.2
%
 
4.0
%
Customized postage
3.7
%
 
3.7
%
 
2.8
%
 
3.0
%
Other
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
Total revenue
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Our revenue is derived primarily from five sources: (1) service and transaction related revenues from our USPS mailing and shipping services, our multi-carrier shipping services and our mailing and shipping integrations; (2) product revenue from the direct sale of consumables and supplies through our Supplies Stores; (3) package insurance revenue from our branded insurance offerings; (4) customized postage revenue from the sale of customized postage labels; and (5) other revenue, consisting of advertising revenue derived from advertising programs with our existing customers.

We earn service revenue from our mailing and shipping operations in several different ways: (1) customers may pay us a monthly fee based on a subscription plan which may be waived or refunded for certain customers; (2) we may be compensated directly by the USPS for certain qualifying customers under our USPS partnership; (3) we may earn transaction related revenue based on customers purchasing postage or printing shipping labels; (4) we may earn compensation by offering customers a discounted postage rate that is provided to the customers by our integration partners; and (5) we may earn other types of revenue shares or other compensation from specific customers or integration partners.

Service revenue increased 22% to $125.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $102.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Service revenue increased 26% to $246.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $195.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in service revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2018 consisted of a 22% increase in our average service revenue per paid customer (Service Revenue ARPU). 

The increase in our Service Revenue ARPU during the three months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to the factors that resulted in an increase in the average total mailing and shipping revenue per paid customer described in the previous section.


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Product revenue increased 3% to $4.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $4.8 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Product revenue increased 1% to $10.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $10.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. Product revenue is primarily driven by labels, such as NetStamps and DYMO Stamps, which are used for mailing.  As our growth in postage has been driven more by shipping than mailing over the recent years, our product revenue has not kept pace with our growth in total revenue.
 
Insurance revenue decreased 2% to $4.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $4.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Insurance revenue decreased 2% to $8.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $8.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017.  Our insurance revenue decreased year over year, despite the growth in service revenue, primarily due to the increase in high volume shipper customers.  High volume shipper customers often self-insure, so while the high volume shipping business results in higher service fee revenue, it may not result in higher insurance revenue.

Customized postage revenue increased 22% to $5.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $4.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Customized postage revenue increased 16% to $7.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $6.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in high volume customer orders. High volume order sales are unpredictable and vary from quarter to quarter.
                                                 
Cost of Revenue

The following table shows cost of revenues and cost of revenues as a percentage of associated revenue for the periods indicated (in thousands except percentage):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Cost of revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service
22,610

 
12,726

 
43,259

 
25,402

Product
1,480

 
1,593

 
3,231

 
3,395

Insurance
1,014

 
1,213

 
2,012

 
2,581

Customized postage
4,338

 
3,557

 
6,467

 
5,449

Total cost of revenues
$
29,442

 
$
19,089

 
$
54,969

 
$
36,827

Cost as percentage of associated revenue
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Service
18.1
%
 
12.4
%
 
17.6
%
 
13.0
%
Product
30.3
%
 
33.4
%
 
30.6
%
 
32.4
%
Insurance
23.6
%
 
27.6
%
 
23.2
%
 
29.2
%
Customized postage
83.1
%
 
83.2
%
 
82.9
%
 
81.1
%
Total cost as a percentage of total revenues
21.1
%
 
16.4
%
 
20.1
%
 
16.7
%

Cost of service revenue principally consists of the cost of customer service, certain promotional expenses, system operating costs, credit card processing fees, vendor costs and expenses, and customer misprints that do not qualify for reimbursement from the USPS.  Cost of product revenue principally consists of the cost of products sold through our Supplies Stores and the related costs of shipping and handling.  The cost of insurance revenue principally consists of parcel insurance offering costs through our third party insurance providers.  Cost of customized postage revenue principally consists of the face value of postage, customer service, image review costs, and printing and fulfillment costs.


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Table of Contents

Cost of service revenue increased 78% to $22.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $12.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Cost of service revenue increased 70% to $43.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $25.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase during the three months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to (1) a $6.1 million increase in vendor costs and expenses in connection with services for which we include such costs and expenses both in revenue and in cost of service revenue; (2) higher credit card processing fees, which increased by $2.1 million, directly related to our higher revenue; and (3) higher system operating and customer service costs, which increased by $1.6 million, to support our growing business. The increase during the six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to (1) an $11.4 million increase in vendor costs and expenses in connection with services for which we include such costs and expenses both in revenue and in cost of service revenue; (2) higher credit card processing fees, which increased by $3.7 million, directly related to our higher revenue; and (3) higher system operating and customer service costs, which increased by $2.9 million, to support our growing business. Promotional expenses were not material in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.

Cost of service revenue as a percent of service revenue increased to 18% in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from 12% in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Cost of service revenue as a percent of service revenue increased to 18% in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from 13% in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase is primarily attributable to the relative increase in service revenue from service offerings for which the vendor costs and expenses are included both in revenue and in cost of service revenue.

Cost of product revenue decreased 7% to $1.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $1.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Cost of product revenue decreased 5% to $3.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $3.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to lower costs of sale for NetStamps labels.

Cost of product revenue as a percent of product revenue decreased to 30% in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from 33% in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Cost of product revenue as a percent of product revenue decreased to 31% in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from 32% in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease is primarily attributable to lower costs of sale for NetStamps labels.

Cost of insurance revenue decreased 16% to $1.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $1.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Cost of insurance revenue decreased 22% to $2.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $2.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower cost as a result of a renegotiated contract.
                                                
Cost of insurance revenue as a percent of insurance revenue decreased to 24% in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from 28% in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Cost of insurance revenue as a percent of insurance revenue decreased to 23% in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from 29% in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower cost as a result of a renegotiated contract.

Cost of customized postage revenue increased 22% to $4.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $3.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Cost of customized postage revenue increased 19% to $6.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $5.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in cost of customized postage revenue during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 is primarily due to the increase in our customized postage volume.

Cost of customized postage revenue as a percent of customized postage revenue was 83% in both the three months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017. Cost of customized postage revenue as a percent of customized postage revenue was 83% in the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 81% in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in the six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily the result of the increase in high volume orders which have a lower profit margin compared to website sales.


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Operating Expenses

The following table outlines the components of our operating expense and their respective percentages of total revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands except percentages):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
$
25,789

 
$
22,280

 
$
51,537

 
$
45,430

Research and development
12,340

 
11,628

 
24,413

 
22,150

General and administrative
25,187

 
21,451

 
46,203

 
40,433

Total operating expenses
$
63,316

 
$
55,359

 
$
122,153

 
$
108,013

Operating expenses as a percent of total revenues:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
18.5
%
 
19.2
%
 
18.9
%
 
20.5
%
Research and development
8.8
%
 
10.0
%
 
8.9
%
 
10.0
%
General and administrative
18.0
%
 
18.5
%
 
16.9
%
 
18.3
%
Total operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues
45.3
%
 
47.7
%
 
44.7
%
 
48.8
%

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing expense principally consists of spending to acquire new customers and compensation and related expenses for personnel engaged in sales, marketing, and business development activities. Our sales and marketing programs include direct sales, customer referral programs, customer re-marketing efforts, direct mail, online advertising, partnerships, telemarketing, and traditional advertising.

Sales and marketing expense increased 16% to $25.8 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $22.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017.  Sales and marketing expense increased 13% to $51.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $45.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase during the three months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to an increase in discretionary and sales volume-based partner marketing spend of $2.4 million and a net increase in headcount-related expenses including stock-based compensation of $0.6 million. The increase during the six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to an increase in discretionary and sales volume-based partner marketing spend of $4.3 million and a net increase in headcount-related expenses including stock-based compensation of $1.1 million.

Sales and marketing expense as a percent of total revenue was 18% in the three months ended June 30, 2018 which was down compared to 19% in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Sales and marketing expense as a percent of total revenue was 19% in the six months ended June 30, 2018 which was down compared to 21% in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The declines during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 were primarily attributable to our ability to leverage our sales and marketing spend, which is expensed as incurred, relative to the year-over-year growth in our average monthly revenue per paid customer.

Research and Development

Research and development expense principally consists of compensation for personnel involved in the development of our services, depreciation of equipment and software, and expenditures for consulting services and third party software.

Research and development expense increased 6% to $12.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $11.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Research and development expense increased 10% to $24.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $22.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase during the three months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to a net increase in headcount-related expense including stock-based compensation of $0.5 million. The increase during the six months ended June 30, 2017 was primarily attributable to a net increase in headcount-related expense including stock-based compensation of $1.5 million. The increases in headcount-related expenses were incurred to support our expanded product offerings and technology infrastructure investments.


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Research and development expense as a percent of total revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 was 9% and 10%, respectively. Research and development expense as a percent of total revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 was 9% and 10%, respectively.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expense principally consists of compensation and related costs for executive and administrative personnel; fees for legal and other professional services; depreciation of equipment, software, and building used for general corporate purposes; and amortization of intangible assets.

General and administrative expense increased 17% to $25.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $21.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. General and administrative expense increased 14% to $46.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $40.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase during the three months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to an increase in indirect tax liabilities of $1.9 million and professional service and settlement expenses of $1.6 million related to corporate development and litigation activities. The increase during the six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to an increase in indirect tax liabilities of $3.8 million and professional service and settlement expenses of $1.6 million related to corporate development and litigation activities.

General and administrative expense as a percent of total revenue was 18% in both the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. General and administrative expense as a percent of total revenue was 17% in the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 18% in the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Interest and Other Income

Interest and other income primarily consists of interest income from cash, cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments. Interest and other income decreased to $43,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $159,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Interest and other income decreased to $92,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $189,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2017. Interest and other income is not material to the consolidated financial statements.

Interest Expense

Interest expense consists of interest expense from the debt under our credit facility and the associated accretion of debt issuance costs. Interest expense decreased to $650,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $932,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2017. Interest expense decreased to $1.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $1.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The decreases in interest expense are primarily attributable to lower outstanding debt balances under our credit facility, partially offset by higher interest rates.

Provision for Income Taxes

Our income tax expense was $0.7 million and $2.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. Our income tax expense was $9.9 million and $10.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.

Our effective income tax rate differs from the statutory income tax rate primarily as a result of permanent tax adjustments for tax benefits from exercises of stock awards and research and development tax credits, as well as nondeductible items and state taxes.

See Note 7 — “Income Taxes” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.


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Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had $282.9 million and $153.9 million, respectively, primarily in cash and cash equivalents.

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $136.4 million and $78.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to the (1) increase in net income of $28.4 million, (2) decrease in accounts receivable of $16.5 million, (3) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $13.0 million, and (4) the decrease in other current assets of $8.1 million, partially offset by (a) the decrease in stock-based compensation expense of $4.9 million and (b) the decrease in deferred income tax expense of $3.8 million.
 
Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $1.2 million and $2.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  The decrease in net cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to (1) the $3.1 million decrease in acquisition of property and equipment primarily due to higher prior period capital expenditures related to the build out of the Stamps.com headquarters and (2) the prior period sale of $1.5 million of short-term investments.

Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $6.2 million and $72.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  The decrease in net cash used in financing activities was primarily due to the (1) $47.7 million decrease in stock repurchases, (2) $12.3 million increase in proceeds from stock option exercises, and the (3) prior period optional repayment of debt of $10.0 million, partially offset by the $3.3 million increase in payments of statutory income tax withholding obligations that were funded by shares withheld.

The following table is a schedule of our significant contractual obligations and commercial commitments (other than debt commitments) as of June 30, 2018 (in thousands):
 
Twelve Month Period Ending June 30,
Operating
Lease Obligations
2019
$
4,391

2020
4,201

2021
4,192

2022
2,999

2023
2,819

Thereafter
4,871

Total
$
23,473


On November 18, 2015, we entered into a Credit Agreement with a group of banks, which provided for a term loan of $82.5 million and a revolving credit facility with a maximum borrowing of $82.5 million. Our Credit Agreement matures on November 18, 2020. In connection with entering into the Credit Agreement, we incurred approximately $1.8 million in debt issuance costs which were recorded as debt discount and are being accreted as interest expense over the life of the Credit Agreement. Interest expense associated with the debt issuance costs for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $93,000 and $186,000, respectively. In December 2017, we repaid all of our revolving credit facility outstanding debt of $62.0 million.

Borrowings under the term loan are payable in quarterly installments which began on December 31, 2015. We pay interest on our Credit Agreement equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate plus an applicable margin, between 1.25% and 2.00%, based upon certain financial measures. As of June 30, 2018, our applicable margin was 1.25% and the interest rate on our outstanding loan was approximately 3.34%.  We are subject to certain customary quarterly financial covenants under our Credit Agreement such as a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. As of June 30, 2018, we were in compliance with the covenants of the Credit Agreement.


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The Credit Agreement includes negative covenants, subject to exceptions, restricting or limiting our ability to among other things, incur additional indebtedness; grant liens; repurchase stock; pay dividends; and engage in certain investment, acquisition, and disposition transactions. The Credit Agreement imposes certain requirements in order for us to make dividend payments.  As of June 30, 2018, such requirements were: (1) our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, must be less than 2.75 to 1.00; (2) our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, must be greater than 1.25 to 1.00; and (3) our Liquidity as defined in the Credit Agreement must be greater than $20 million.  As of June 30, 2018, our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio was 0.27 to 1.00, our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio was 23.23 to 1.00 and our Liquidity was approximately $365 million, which includes cash and cash equivalent balances, as well as the available balance under the revolving credit facility. Based on our actual financial condition and results of operations, we do not believe that the provisions of the Credit Agreement currently represent a restriction to our ability to pay dividends in permissible amounts, nor do we believe they will represent such a restriction after the MetaPack acquisition is complete.

The contractual maturities of our debt obligations due subsequent to June 30, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Year Ending June 30,
Amount
2019
$
9,797

2020
11,859

2021
44,344

Thereafter

Total debt
66,000

 
 

Less: debt issuance costs
904

Total debt, net of debt issuance costs
$
65,096


The estimated interest payments related to our debt due subsequent to June 30, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Year Ending June 30,
Amount
2019
$
2,146

2020
1,798

2021
699

Thereafter

Total
$
4,643


The above estimated interest payments assume an interest rate of 3.34%, which is our interest rate as of June 30, 2018.

We expect to fund the purchase price of our MetaPack acquisition with cash on hand, the effect of which on our cash position will be reflected in our financial statements as of and for the three months ending September 30, 2018 assuming the acquisition closes in the third quarter of 2018.

We believe our available cash and marketable securities, together with the cash flow from operations, will be sufficient to fund our business for at least the next twelve months.


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Business Outlook and Forward-Looking Statements

The following forward-looking statements are accompanied by, and should only be read in conjunction with, the qualifications and limitations described in the forward-looking statements discussion at the beginning of this Item 2 and the risks and other factors set forth in Item 1A of Part II of this Report and in Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2018.

We expect our mailing and shipping revenue to increase in 2018 compared to 2017. Excluding any effects of the anticipated MetaPack acquisition, we expect our mailing and shipping revenue growth in 2018 to be less than the growth we achieved in 2017 now that we have passed the one year anniversary of our ShippingEasy acquisition. Our ability to grow our mailing and shipping revenue is partly dependent on our ability to increase our sales and marketing spend to acquire new customers and to retain our existing customers. To the extent we are not able to achieve our target increase in spending and acquire or retain customers, this would negatively impact our 2018 mailing and shipping revenue growth expectations.

We expect customized postage revenue to decline in 2018 compared to 2017, due to certain high volume business purchases occurring in 2017, which may not be repeated in 2018. High volume business orders for customized postage can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and therefore historical trends may not be indicative of future results for customized postage revenue.

We expect our sales and marketing expense to increase in 2018 compared to 2017. Excluding any effects of the anticipated MetaPack acquisition, we expect the percent increase in sales and marketing expense in 2018 to be greater than the percent increase in 2017 as we plan to increase our investments in headcount and non-headcount resources in 2018 to drive growth. We will continue to monitor our customer metrics and the state of the economy and adjust our level of spending accordingly. Sales and marketing spend is expensed in the period incurred, while the revenue and profits associated with the acquired customers are earned over the customers’ lifetimes. As a result, increased sales and marketing spend in future periods could result in a reduction in operating profit and cash flow compared to past periods.

We expect research and development expenses to be higher in 2018 as compared to 2017 as we expect to hire additional research and development personnel in 2018. Excluding any effects of the anticipated MetaPack acquisition, we expect the percent increase in research and development expense in 2018 to be less than the percent increase in 2017.

We expect general and administrative expenses to be higher in 2018 as compared to 2017 as we expect to hire additional general and administrative personnel in 2018 and to continue to incur sales tax expense. Excluding any effects of the anticipated MetaPack acquisition, we expect the percent increase in general and administrative expense in 2018 to be less than the percent increase in 2017.

We expect our stock-based compensation expense to be lower in 2018 compared to 2017 due to smaller executive grants in 2018.

We expect our interest expense in 2018 to be lower than 2017 due to lower outstanding debt balances under our credit facility.

We expect our effective tax rate for 2018 to be higher than 2017 as we benefited from excess tax benefits related to the exercise of stock options in 2017 which we do not expect to recur at the same levels in 2018. However, there are other factors that impact taxable income compared to book income which can be difficult to predict and can change from quarter-to-quarter.

As discussed earlier in this Report, our expectations are subject to substantial uncertainty and our results are subject to macro-economic factors and other factors which could cause these trends to be worse than our current expectation or which could cause actual results to be materially different than our current expectations. These expectations are “forward looking statements,” are made only as of the date of this Report and are subject to the qualifications and limitations on forward-looking statements discussion in the beginning of Item 2 of this Report and the risks and other factors set forth in Item 1A of Part II of this Report and Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2018. Our business has grown through acquisitions during 2014 through 2016; however the expectations above do not assume any future acquisitions or dispositions (including the acquisition of MetaPack which we expect to complete in the third quarter of 2018), any of which could have a significant impact on our current expectations.  As described in our forward-looking statements discussion, we do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Report.


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Critical Accounting Policies and Judgments

Management's discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our unaudited financial statements. The preparation of these financial statements is based on the selection of accounting policies and the application of significant accounting estimates, some of which require management to make judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and notes. Except as noted below, for more information regarding our critical accounting estimates and policies, see Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting Policies and Judgments" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2018.

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ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOUSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

On November 18, 2015, we entered into a Credit Agreement with a group of banks, which provided for a term loan of $82.5 million and a revolving credit facility with a maximum borrowing of $82.5 million. Our Credit Agreement matures on November 18, 2020. As of June 30, 2018, the debt outstanding under our Credit Agreement, gross of debt issuance costs, was $66.0 million.  Borrowings under the term loan are payable in quarterly installments which began on December 31, 2015. We pay interest on our Credit Agreement at a rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate plus an applicable margin, which is between 1.25% and 2.00%, based upon certain financial measures. As of June 30, 2018, our applicable margin was 1.25% and the interest rate on our outstanding loan was approximately 3.34%. Interest expense would not be significantly affected by either a 10% increase or decrease in the rates of interest on our debt.

We have not used derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. None of the instruments in our investment portfolio are held for trading purposes. Our cash equivalents consist primarily of money market securities and had a weighted average maturity of 21 days and a weighted average interest rate of 1.7% at June 30, 2018. The aggregate value of our cash and cash equivalents was $282.9 million at June 30, 2018. Interest rate fluctuations impact the carrying value of the portfolio. The fair value of our portfolio of marketable securities would not be significantly affected by either a 10% increase or decrease in the rates of interest due primarily to the short-term nature of the portfolio.  We do not believe that the future market risks related to the above securities will have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act).
 
As of the end of the period covered by this Report, our management evaluated, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded, as of that time, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in internal controls
 
During the quarter ended June 30, 2018, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 3 - "Commitments and Contingencies" of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

Except with respect to the new and/or updated risk factors set forth below, we are not aware of any material changes to the risk factors included in Item 1A "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2018.

Our Expansion into New Products, Services, Technologies, and Geographic Regions Subjects Us to Additional Business, Legal, Financial, and Competitive Risks.
We may have limited or no experience in our newer markets, and our customers may not adopt our new offerings. These offerings may present new and difficult technology challenges, and we may be subject to claims if customers of these offerings experience service disruptions or failures or other quality issues. In addition, profitability, if any, in our newer activities may be lower than in our older activities, and we may not be successful enough in these newer activities to recoup our investments in them. If any of this were to occur, it could damage our reputation, limit our growth, and negatively affect our operating results.

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Our MetaPack Acquisition Could Be Adversely Impacted by Brexit. 
Although negotiations between the U.K. and EU regarding the U.K.’s proposed withdrawal from the EU (“Brexit”) began in June 2017, it is still unclear what terms may be agreed to in the final outcome and for any transitional period. Ongoing changes in the EU’s regulatory framework applicable to our business, including changes related to Brexit and any other changes in the composition of the EU’s member states, may add further complexity to our global risks and operations. Given the significant UK presence we will have after the closing of the MetaPack acquisition, we could be adversely impacted both by the ongoing uncertainty of the Brexit negotiations, and by the final outcome of such negotiations. In particular, any outcome that negatively impacts the ability of UK based businesses to deliver services to EU member states, or that increases the costs of such service delivery, would likely have an adverse impact on MetaPack’s business. For example, it is possible that there will be greater restrictions on imports and exports between the UK and EU countries and increased regulatory complexities. These changes may adversely affect our sales, operations and financial results. Further, our operations in the UK may be adversely affected by extreme fluctuations in UK exchange rates. Moreover, the imposition of any import restrictions and duties levied on our UK services as imported for EU customers may make our service more expensive for such customers and less competitive from a pricing perspective. Given the lack of comparable precedent, it is unclear how Brexit may negatively impact the economies of the U.K., the E.U. countries and other nations. However, any of these effects of Brexit, among others, could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and our significant investment in MetaPack.
Our MetaPack Acquisition Will Increase Our Risk Profile to GDPR, and Our Existing Operations Will Be Subject to California’s New Cyber Security Law.
Our exposure to financial and reputational risks under GDPR will be significantly increased as a result of our expanding European operations, in particular due to our MetaPack acquisition. See “--Our business is subject to extensive, complex, overlapping and frequently changing rules, regulations and legal interpretations including those regarding privacy, and our results of operations, financial condition and reputation may be adversely affected by the demands of compliance and/or by our liability for any failure to comply” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December, 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2018. Even without any cyber event or data breach, our compliance costs will be significantly increased.
The state of California has also recently enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, a new privacy and cyber security law, which we are still reviewing, but which also establishes strict data protection and privacy controls and reporting requirements and increases liabilities for non-compliance. This new law impacts our US operations and underscores the increasing risk profile of our business to both cyber events and the emerging, strict, regulatory framework governing all businesses dealing in personal data.
Geopolitical uncertainty, and changes to international trade agreements, tariffs, import and excise duties, taxes or other governmental rules and regulations could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We are seeking to grow our revenue generated from customers located outside the U.S. and after the closing of the MetaPack acquisition, a significant portion of our assets, including employees, will be located outside the U.S. Risks associated with international operations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition and/or results of operations, include:
political instability, and the possibility of deteriorating relationships involving countries in which we operate;
the imposition of new or modified international trade restrictions, tariffs, import and excise duties or other taxes;
import and export requirements, including restrictions on sales to certain end customers;
restrictions on foreign ownership and investments, including potential intervention by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United Stated (CFIUS) or by other applicable administrative review boards to block strategic transactions that might otherwise be in shareholders’ interests;
restrictions on repatriation of cash earned in foreign countries;
changes in local political, economic, social and labor conditions;
a less developed and less certain legal and regulatory environment in some countries, which, among other things, can create uncertainty regarding contract enforcement, intellectual property rights and liability issues; and
inadequate levels of compliance with applicable anti-bribery laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The U.S. federal government or other governmental bodies may propose changes to international trade agreements, tariffs, taxes and other government rules and regulations. Any changes to the international trading system, or the emergence of an international trade dispute, could significantly impact our business and have a negative impact on our revenues. In addition, the U.S. and other countries in which we operate impose import and excise duties, tariffs and other taxes on our products in varying amounts. Any significant increases in import and excise duties or other taxes on our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition and/or results of operations.

31



We Have Foreign Exchange Risk.
The results of operations of, and certain of our intercompany balances associated with, our international websites and product and service offerings are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Upon translation, operating results may differ materially from expectations, and we may record significant gains or losses on the remeasurement of intercompany balances. As we have expanded our international operations, our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations has increased. We also hold cash equivalents and/or marketable securities in foreign currencies including British Pounds and Euros. If the U.S. Dollar strengthens compared to these currencies, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances, when translated, may be materially less than expected and vice versa.
Our Business Could Suffer if We Are Unsuccessful in Making, Integrating, and Maintaining Commercial Agreements, Strategic Alliances, and Other Business Relationships.
We provide e-commerce and other services to businesses through commercial agreements, strategic alliances, and business relationships. Under these agreements, we provide web services, shipping, mailing, and other services. These arrangements are complex and require substantial infrastructure capacity, personnel, and other resource commitments, which may limit the amount of business we can service. We may not be able to implement, maintain, and develop the components of these commercial relationships, which may include web services, fulfillment, customer service, inventory management, tax collection, payment processing, hardware, content, and third-party software, and engaging third parties to perform services. The amount of compensation we receive under certain of our commercial agreements is partially dependent on the volume of the other company’s sales. Therefore, if the other company’s offering is not successful, the compensation we receive may be lower than expected or the agreement may be terminated. Moreover, we may not be able to enter into additional commercial relationships and strategic alliances on favorable terms. We also may be subject to claims from businesses to which we provide these services if we are unsuccessful in implementing, maintaining, or developing these services.
As our agreements terminate, we may be unable to renew or replace these agreements on comparable terms, or at all. We may in the future enter into amendments on less favorable terms or encounter parties that have difficulty meeting their contractual obligations to us, which could adversely affect our operating results.
Our present and future e-commerce services agreements, other commercial agreements, and strategic alliances create additional risks such as:
disruption of our ongoing business, including loss of management focus on existing businesses;
impairment of other relationships;
variability in revenue and income from entering into, amending, or terminating such agreements or relationships; and
difficulty integrating under the commercial agreements.
The USPS could modify, discontinue or terminate agreements and other financial compensation arrangements, which would have an adverse effect on our revenues and operating results.
The USPS could decide to amend, renegotiate, discontinue or terminate one or more of our financial compensation arrangements that exist now or in the future. If the USPS decides to amend, renegotiate, discontinue or terminate any of our agreements or our integration partners’ agreements under which we are compensated directly or indirectly by the USPS or integration partners for shipping customers who print a certain amount of postage, or our credit card cost sharing agreements which govern the allocation of credit card fees paid by the USPS and us, then our revenue and operating results would suffer. In the history of our relationship with the USPS, we have had many of these important agreements renewed only on short-term extensions and without assurances of any long-term commitments by the USPS. During the previous calendar quarter, the USPS provided a notice requiring the renegotiation of one of our important financial compensation arrangements. While we believe that this agreement is mutually beneficial to the USPS and to us, there is a risk that renegotiation is unsuccessful and leads to materially less favorable terms or that the USPS decides to not renew one or more of these financial compensation arrangements. In such case, our revenue and operating results will be materially affected unless we are successful in timely replacing the lost revenue with similar compensation from other potential partners.

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Our Business Could Suffer if We Are Unsuccessful in Making, Integrating, and Maintaining Acquisitions and Investments.
We have acquired and invested in a number of companies, and we may acquire or invest in or enter into joint ventures with additional companies. These transactions (such as our pending acquisition of MetaPack) create risks such as:
disruption of our ongoing business, including loss of management focus on existing businesses;
problems retaining key personnel;
additional operating losses and expenses of the businesses we acquired or in which we invested;
the potential impairment of tangible and intangible assets and goodwill, including as a result of acquisitions;
the potential impairment of customer and other relationships of the company we acquired or in which we invested or our own customers as a result of any integration of operations;
the difficulty of completing such transactions and achieving anticipated benefits within expected timeframes, or at all;
the difficulty of incorporating acquired operations, technology, and rights into our offerings, and unanticipated expenses related to such integration;
the difficulty of integrating a new company’s accounting, financial reporting, management, information and information security, human resource, and other administrative systems to permit effective management, and the lack of control if such integration is delayed or not implemented;
for investments in which an investee’s financial performance is incorporated into our financial results, either in full or in part, the dependence on the investee’s accounting, financial reporting, and similar systems, controls, and processes;
the difficulty of implementing at companies we acquire the controls, procedures, and policies appropriate for a larger public company;
the risks associated with businesses we acquire or invest in, which may differ from or be more significant than the risks our other businesses face;
potential unknown liabilities associated with a company we acquire or in which we invest; and
for foreign transactions, additional risks related to the integration of operations across different cultures and languages, and the economic, political, and regulatory risks associated with specific countries.
As a result of future acquisitions or mergers, we might need to issue additional equity securities, spend our cash, or incur debt, contingent liabilities, or amortization expenses related to intangible assets, any of which could reduce our profitability and harm our business or only be available on unfavorable terms, if at all. In addition, valuations supporting our acquisitions and strategic investments could change rapidly given the current global economic climate. We could determine that such valuations have experienced impairments or other-than-temporary declines in fair value which could adversely impact our financial results.
Our Expansion Places a Significant Strain on our Management, Operational, Financial, and Other Resources.
We are significantly expanding our global operations with our pending MetaPack acquisition, including increasing our product and service offerings and scaling our infrastructure to support our services businesses. This expansion increases the complexity of our business and places significant strain on our management, personnel, operations, systems, technical performance, financial resources, and internal financial control and reporting functions. We may not be able to manage growth effectively, which could damage our reputation, limit our growth, and negatively affect our operating results.
Our Credit Agreement imposes certain limitations on our ability to make dividend payments and to engage in further borrowing, which could hamper our control over liquidity.
Our Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (the “Credit Agreement”), imposes certain requirements in order for us to make dividend payments to our shareholders. As of June 30, 2018, such requirements were: (1) our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) must be less than 2.75 to 1.00; (2) our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) must be greater than 1.25 to 1.00; and (3) our Liquidity (as defined in the Credit Agreement) immediately after giving effect to such dividend must be greater than $20 million. As of June 30, 2018, our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio was 0.27 to 1.00; our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio was 23.23 to 1.00 and our Liquidity was approximately $365 million. Our expected use of approximately $230 million of cash in the third quarter of 2018 to purchase MetaPack will adversely affect our Liquidity. Adverse changes in our financial condition and results of operations could result in the Credit Agreement prohibiting us from paying any dividends or incurring additional debt in the future.


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ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Period
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid
per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares That
May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
(in 000's)
April 1, 2018 -
April 30, 2018
21,700

$
211.97

21,700

$
37,311

May 1, 2018 -
May 31, 2018
17,300

$
244.34

17,300

$
87,490

June 1, 2018 -
June 30, 2018
15,100

$
263.76

15,100

$
83,507


On October 24, 2017, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan, which became effective November 10, 2017, that replaced our prior stock repurchase plan and authorized the Company to repurchase up to $90 million of stock over the six months following its effective date. On April 25, 2018, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase plan, which became effective May 11, 2018, that replaced our prior stock repurchase plan and authorized the Company to repurchase up to $90 million of stock over the six months following its effective date. The existing plan remains in effect until its expiration in November 2018.

We will consider repurchasing stock in the future by evaluating such factors as the price of the stock, the daily trading volume and the availability of large blocks of stock and any additional constraints related to material inside information we may possess. Our repurchase of any of our shares will be subject to limitations that may be imposed on such repurchases by applicable securities laws and regulations and the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, as well as restrictions under our Credit Agreement. Repurchases may be made in the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time at our discretion. We have no commitment to make any repurchases.

ITEM 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
 
 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
*
Furnished, not filed.

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SIGNATURES

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, thereunto duly authorized.

 
STAMPS.COM INC.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
August 8, 2018
By:
/s/ KEN MCBRIDE
 
 
 
Ken McBride
 
 
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
August 8, 2018
By:
/s/ JEFF CARBERRY
 
 
 
Jeff Carberry
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 




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