Frontdoor Inc

Previous wording

SSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Current wording

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCU SSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Previous wording

Frontdoor is the leading provider of home warranties in the United States, as measured by revenue, and operates primarily under the American Home Shield brand. Our customizable home warranties help customers protect and maintain their homes, typically their most valuable asset, from costly and unplanned breakdowns of essential home systems and appliances. Our home warranty customers usually subscribe to an annual service plan agreement that covers the repair or replacement of major components of more than 20 home systems and appliances, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC systems, water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers and ranges/ovens/cooktops, as well as optional coverages for electronics, pools, spas and pumps. Frontdoor also provides on-demand home services and a one-stop app experience for home repair and maintenance. Enabled by our Streem technology, the app empowers homeowners by connecting them in real time through video chat with qualified experts to diagnose and solve their problems. As of December 31, 2023, we had 2.0 million active home warranties across all brands in the United States.

Current wording

Frontdoor is the leading provider of home warranties and new home structural warranties in the United States, as measured by revenue, and operates primarily under the American Home Shield and 2-10 HBW brands. Our customizable home warranties help customers protect and maintain their homes, typically their most valuable asset, from costly and unplanned breakdowns of essential home systems and appliances. Our home warranty customers usually subscribe to an annual service plan agreement that covers the repair or replacement of major components of up to 29 home systems and appliances, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC systems, water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers and ranges/ovens/cooktops, as well as optional coverages for electronics, pools, spas and pumps. Our new home structural warranty business provides value to home builders and owners of new homes by providing coverage, including insurance-backed coverage for workmanship, systems and/or structural failures, as well as other post-construction services. We also offer non-warranty home services via our website and app to our home warranty customers directly and others through partnerships and our subscription-based Frontdoor app. As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately 2.1 million active home warranties across all brands in the United States.

Previous wording

For the year ended December 31, 2023, we generated revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA of $1,780 million, $171 million and $346 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we generated revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA of $1,662 million, $71 million and $214 million, respectively. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, see “—Results of Operations—Adjusted EBITDA.”

Current wording

For the year ended December 31, 2024, we generated revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA of $1,843 million, $235 million and $443 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we generated revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA of $1,780 million, $171 million and $346 million, respectively. For a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA, see “—Results of Operations—Adjusted EBITDA.”

Previous wording

For the year ended December 31, 2023, our total operating revenue included 77 percent of revenue derived from existing customer renewals, while eight percent and 11 percent were derived from new home warranty sales made in conjunction with existing home real estate transactions and direct-to-consumer sales, respectively, and four percent was derived from other revenue channels. For the year ended December 31, 2022, our total operating revenue included 72 percent of revenue derived from existing customer renewals, while 11 percent and 13 percent were derived from new home warranty sales made in conjunction with existing home real estate transactions and direct-to-consumer sales, respectively, and three percent was derived from other revenue channels.

Current wording

For the year ended December 31, 2024, our total operating revenue included 78 percent of revenue derived from existing customer renewals, while seven percent and nine percent were derived from new home warranty sales made in conjunction with existing home real estate transactions and direct-to-consumer sales, respectively, and six percent was derived from other revenue channels. For the year ended December 31, 2023, our total operating revenue included 77 percent of revenue derived from existing customer renewals, while eight percent and 11 percent were derived from new home warranty sales made in conjunction with existing home real estate transactions and direct-to-consumer sales, respectively, and four percent was derived from other revenue channels.

Previous wording

Current macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, higher interest rates, the challenging real estate market and rising global geopolitical issues, may affect existing home sales, consumer sentiment or labor availability. These conditions may reduce demand for our services, increase our costs or otherwise adversely impact our business. While these macroeconomic conditions generally impact the United States as a whole, we believe our nationwide presence limits the impact on us of unfavorable economic conditions in any particular region of the United States.

Current wording

Current macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, high interest rates, the challenging real estate market, and ongoing global geopolitical issues, may affect existing home sales, consumer sentiment or labor availability. These conditions may reduce demand for our services, increase our costs or otherwise adversely impact our business. While these macroeconomic conditions generally impact the United States as a whole, we believe our nationwide presence limits the impact on us of unfavorable economic conditions in any particular region of the United States.

Previous wording

During 2023, our financial condition and results of operations continued to be adversely impacted by the following:

Current wording

During 2024, as compared to 2023, our financial condition and results of operations continued to be adversely impacted by the following:

Previous wording

Challenging real estate market conditions, driven by a decline in the number of home resale transactions, primarily resulting from higher interest rates, combined with low home inventory levels, continue to constrain demand for home warranties in the first-year real estate channel.

Current wording

Challenging real estate market conditions, driven by a decline in the number of home resale transactions, primarily resulting from high interest rates combined with low home inventory levels, continue to constrain demand for home warranties.

Previous wording

Consumer sentiment remains mixed as a result of a broad range of current macroeconomic conditions, including pressure on consumer prices and rising interest rates. We believe this environment impacted demand for home warranties in the first-year direct-to-consumer and renewal channels.

Current wording

Consumer sentiment remains mixed as a result of a broad range of current macroeconomic conditions, including pressure on consumer prices and high interest rates. We believe this environment continues to impact demand for home warranties.

Previous wording

Our contractor network continues to be impacted by inflation, including higher labor, parts and equipment costs and labor availability challenges. We continue to take actions to mitigate these impacts, including increasing the percent of service requests completed by lower-cost preferred contractors, increasing the share of parts and equipment our contractors source through us at lower costs and other process improvement efforts.

Current wording

Our labor, parts and equipment costs continue to be impacted by inflation.

Previous wording

Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, which drive variations in our revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA for interim periods. Seasonal fluctuations are primarily driven by a higher number of HVAC work orders in the summer months. In 2023, approximately 21 percent, 29 percent, 29 percent and 21 percent of our revenue, approximately 13 percent, 41 percent, 42 percent and five percent of our net income, and approximately 15 percent, 35 percent, 37 percent and 13 percent of our Adjusted EBITDA was recognized in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively.

Current wording

Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, which drive variations in our revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA for interim periods. Seasonal fluctuations are primarily driven by a higher number of HVAC work orders with respect to our home warranty business in the summer months. In 2024, approximately 21 percent, 29 percent, 29 percent and 21 percent of our revenue, approximately 14 percent, 39 percent, 43 percent and four percent of our net income, and approximately 16 percent, 36 percent, 37 percent and 11 percent of our Adjusted EBITDA was recognized in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively.

Previous wording

The demand for our services, and our results of operations, are affected by weather conditions. Extreme temperatures, typically in the winter and summer months, can lead to an increase in service requests related to home systems, particularly HVAC systems, resulting in higher costs and lower profitability, while mild temperatures in the winter or summer months can lead to lower home systems claim frequency, resulting in lower costs and higher profitability. For example, favorable weather trends in 2023 as compared to 2022 resulted in a lower number of service requests per customer, which favorably impacted contract claims costs.

Current wording

The demand for our services, particularly our home warranty business, and our results of operations, are affected by weather conditions. Extreme temperatures, typically in the winter and summer months, can lead to an increase in home warranty service requests related to home systems, particularly HVAC systems, resulting in higher costs and lower profitability, while mild temperatures in the winter or summer months can lead to lower home systems claim frequency, resulting in lower costs and higher profitability. For example, favorable weather trends in 2024 as compared to 2023 resulted in a lower number of home warranty service requests per customer in the HVAC trade, which favorably impacted contract claims costs.

Previous wording

While weather variations as described above may affect our business, major weather events and other similar Acts of God, or natural disasters such as typhoons, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires or earthquakes, typically do not increase our obligations to provide service. Generally, repairs associated with such isolated events are addressed by homeowners’ and other forms of insurance as opposed to the home warranties that we offer.

Current wording

While weather variations as described above may affect our business, major weather events and other similar Acts of God, or natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons, wildfires or earthquakes, typically do not increase our obligations to provide service. Generally, repairs associated with such isolated events are addressed by homeowners’ and other forms of insurance, as opposed to the home warranties that we offer.

Previous wording

Changes in U.S. tariff and import/export regulations may impact the costs of parts, appliances and home systems. Import duties or restrictions on components and raw materials that are imposed, or the perception that they could occur, may materially and adversely affect our business by increasing our costs. For example, rising costs due to blanket tariffs on imported steel and aluminum could increase the costs of our parts, appliances and home systems.

Current wording

Changes in U.S. tariff and import/export regulations may impact the costs of parts, appliances and home systems. Import duties or restrictions on components and raw materials that are imposed, or the perception that they could occur, may materially and adversely affect our business by increasing our costs. For example, rising costs due to blanket tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, or blanket tariffs on goods from countries that are key suppliers of replacement parts for appliances and home systems, could increase the costs of our parts, appliances and home systems.

Previous wording

We compete in the U.S. home warranty category and the broader U.S. home services industry. The home warranty category is highly competitive. While we have a broad range of competitors in each locality and region, we are one of the few companies that provide home warranties nationwide. The broader U.S. home services industry is also highly competitive. We compete against businesses providing on-demand home services directly and those offering leads to contractors seeking to provide on-demand home services. The principal methods of competition, and by which we differentiate ourselves from our competitors, are quality and speed of service, contract offerings, brand awareness and reputation, customer satisfaction, pricing and promotions, contractor network and referrals. We believe our nationwide network of qualified professional contractor firms, in combination with our large base of contracted customers, differentiate us from other platforms in the home services industry.

Current wording

We compete in the U.S. home warranty category and the broader U.S. home services industry. The home warranty category is highly competitive. While we have a broad range of competitors in each locality and region, we are one of the few companies that provide home warranties nationwide. The broader U.S. home services industry is also highly competitive. We compete against businesses providing non-warranty home services directly and those offering leads to contractors seeking to provide non-warranty home services. The principal methods of competition, and by which we differentiate ourselves from our competitors, are quality and speed of service, contract offerings, brand awareness and reputation, customer satisfaction, pricing and promotions, contractor network and referrals. We believe our nationwide network of qualified professional contractor firms, in combination with our large base of contracted customers, differentiate us from other platforms in the home services industry.

Previous wording

We anticipate that the highly fragmented nature of the home warranty category will continue to create strategic opportunities for acquisitions. Historically, we have used acquisitions to cost-effectively grow our customer base in high-growth geographies, and we intend to continue to do so. We may also explore opportunities to make strategic acquisitions that will expand our service offering in the broader home services industry. We have also used acquisitions to enhance our technological capabilities and geographic presence.

Current wording

We anticipate that the highly fragmented nature of the home services industry will continue to create strategic opportunities for acquisitions. Historically, we have used acquisitions to grow our customer base in high-growth geographies, and we intend to continue to do so. Most recently, we acquired 2-10 HBW, which provides us more home warranty customers and increased revenue, in addition to opportunities for a new sales channel and a more diversified business portfolio. We have also used acquisitions to enhance our technological capabilities and geographic presence. We may also explore opportunities to make strategic acquisitions that will expand our service offering in the broader home services industry, such as new home structural warranties acquired as part of 2-10 HBW. See “— 2-10 HBW Acquisition” for additional information related to the acquisition.

Previous wording

Revenue. The majority of our revenue is generated from annual home warranty contracts entered into with our customers. Home warranty contracts are typically one year in duration. We recognize revenue at the agreed upon contractual amount over time using the input method in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in performing services under the contracts. Our revenue is primarily a function of the volume and pricing of the services provided to our customers, as well as the mix of services provided. Our revenue volume is impacted by new home warranty sales, customer retention and acquisitions. We derive substantially all of our revenue from customers in the United States.

Current wording

Revenue. The majority of our revenue is generated from home warranty contracts entered into with our customers. Home warranty contracts are typically one year in duration. We recognize revenue at the agreed upon contractual amount over time using the input method in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in performing services under the contracts. Our revenue is primarily a function of the volume and pricing of the services provided to our customers, as well as the mix of services provided. Our revenue volume is impacted by new home warranty sales, customer retention and acquisitions. We derive substantially all of our revenue from customers in the United States.

Previous wording

Net Income and Earnings Per Share. The presentation of net income and basic and diluted earnings per share provides measures of performance which are useful for investors, analysts and other interested parties in company-to-company operating performance comparisons. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, increased to include the number of shares of common stock that would have been outstanding had potentially dilutive shares of common stock been issued. The dilutive effect, if any, of stock options, performance options (which are stock options that become exercisable upon the achievement, in whole or in part, of the applicable performance goals, pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Plan and the award agreement), restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance shares (which are contractual rights to receive a share of our common stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) upon the achievement, in whole or in part, of the applicable performance goals, pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Plan and the award agreement) and restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) are reflected in diluted earnings per share by applying the treasury stock method.

Current wording

Net Income and Earnings Per Share. The presentation of net income and basic and diluted earnings per share provides measures of performance which are useful for investors, analysts and other interested parties in company-to-company operating performance comparisons. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, increased to include the number of shares of common stock that would have been outstanding had potentially dilutive shares of common stock been issued. The dilutive effect, if any, of non-qualified stock options, performance options (which are stock options that become exercisable upon the achievement, in whole or in part, of the applicable performance goals, pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Plan and the award agreement), restricted stock units ("RSUs"), performance shares (which are contractual rights to receive a share of our common stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) upon the achievement, in whole or in part, of the applicable performance goals, pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Plan and the award agreement) and restricted stock awards ("RSAs") are reflected in diluted earnings per share by applying the treasury stock method.

Previous wording

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin. We evaluate our operating and financial performance primarily based on Adjusted EBITDA, which is a financial measure not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before: depreciation and amortization expense; goodwill and intangibles impairment; restructuring charges; provision for income taxes; non-cash stock-based compensation expense; interest expense; loss on extinguishment of debt; and other non-operating expenses. We define “Adjusted EBITDA margin” as Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue. We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are useful for investors, analysts and other interested parties as they facilitate company-to-company operating performance comparisons by excluding potential differences caused by variations in capital structures, taxation, the age and book depreciation of facilities and equipment, restructuring initiatives and equity-based, long-term incentive plans.

Current wording

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. We evaluate our operating and financial performance primarily based on Adjusted EBITDA, which is a financial measure not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before: depreciation and amortization expense; goodwill and intangibles impairment; restructuring charges; acquisition-related costs; provision for income taxes; non-cash stock-based compensation expense; interest expense; loss on extinguishment of debt; and other non-operating expenses. We define “Adjusted EBITDA margin” as Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue. We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are useful for investors, analysts and other interested parties as they facilitate company-to-company operating performance comparisons by excluding potential differences caused by variations in capital structures, taxation, the age and book depreciation of facilities and equipment, restructuring and acquisition initiatives and equity-based, long-term incentive plans.

Previous wording

This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” is based upon the audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to: revenue recognition; home warranty claims accruals; the valuation of property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets; useful lives for recognizing depreciation and amortization expense; accruals for current and deferred tax accounts; stock-based compensation expense; and litigation matters. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Current wording

This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” is based upon the audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to: revenue recognition; business combinations; home warranty claims accruals; the valuation of property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets; useful lives for recognizing depreciation and amortization expense; accruals for current and deferred tax accounts; stock-based compensation expense; and litigation matters. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, we do not believe there are any additional circumstances that would indicate any other potential impairment of our goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets. We will continue to monitor the macroeconomic impacts on our business in our ongoing evaluation of potential impairments.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, we do not believe there are any circumstances that would indicate any other potential impairment of our goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets. We will continue to monitor the macroeconomic impacts on our business in our ongoing evaluation of potential impairments.

Previous wording

We reported revenue of $1,780 million and $1,662 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The following table provides a summary of our revenue by major customer acquisition channel:

Current wording

We reported revenue of $1,843 million and $1,780 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The following table provides a summary of our revenue by major customer acquisition channel for our home warranties and other revenue:

Previous wording

Revenue increased seven percent for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in renewal revenue primarily reflects improved price realization resulting from our prior pricing actions. The decrease in real estate revenue primarily reflects a decline in the number of first-year real estate home warranties driven by a continuation of the challenging real estate market, offset, in part, by improved price realization from our prior pricing actions. The decrease in direct-to-consumer revenue primarily reflects a decline in the number of first-year direct-to-consumer home warranties, which we believe was driven by a decline in overall category demand for home warranties. The increase in other revenue was primarily driven by growth in on-demand home services.

Current wording

Revenue increased four percent for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in renewal revenue reflects improved price realization resulting from our prior pricing actions, offset, in part, by a decline in the number of renewed home warranties. The decrease in real estate revenue reflects a decline in the number of first-year real estate home warranties driven by the challenging real estate market, offset, in part, by higher price realization. The decrease in direct-to-consumer revenue reflects lower price realization resulting from our efforts to drive incremental sales. The increase in other revenue was driven by growth in non-warranty home services, primarily new HVAC sales.

Previous wording

We reported cost of services rendered of $895 million and $952 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The following table provides a summary of the changes in cost of services rendered:

Current wording

We reported cost of services rendered of $852 million and $895 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The following table provides a summary of the changes in cost of services rendered:

Previous wording

The impact of change in revenue is driven by the reduction in number of home warranties, offset, in part, by growth in on-demand home services.

Current wording

The impact of change in revenue is driven by growth in non-warranty home services, offset, in part, by the reduction in number of home warranties, other than the 2-10 HBW home warranties acquired on December 19, 2024.

Previous wording

The decrease in contract claims costs primarily reflects a lower number of service requests per customer, including a $30 million favorable weather impact. The favorable impact on contract claims costs of continued process improvement initiatives specifically relating to better cost management efforts across our contractor network and a transition to higher service fees, were offset, in part, by ongoing inflationary cost pressures. Additionally, contract claims costs reflects an $11 million favorable adjustment related to the development of prior period claims, compared to a $12 million unfavorable adjustment in 2022.

Current wording

The decrease in contract claims costs primarily reflects the impact of higher trade service fees, which drove a lower number of home warranty service requests per customer and a lower net cost per service request, a favorable weather impact of $8 million, as milder weather drove a lower number of home warranty service requests in the HVAC trade, and continued process improvement initiatives, specifically relating to better cost management across our contractor network. The decrease was offset, in part, by ongoing inflationary cost pressures. Additionally, contract claims costs reflects a $5 million favorable adjustment in 2024 related to the development of prior period claims, compared to a $11 million favorable adjustment in 2023.

Previous wording

We reported selling and administrative expenses of $581 million and $521 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The following table provides a summary of the components of selling and administrative expenses:

Current wording

We reported selling and administrative expenses of $612 million and $581 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The following table provides a summary of the components of selling and administrative expenses:

Previous wording

Sales and marketing costs increased primarily due to our investment in marketing associated with the Frontdoor brand and our direct-to-consumer channel. The decrease in customer service costs was primarily driven by a lower number of service requests. General and administrative costs increased primarily due to increased personnel costs.

Current wording

Sales and marketing costs increased primarily due to our investment in marketing associated with our direct-to-consumer channel, offset, in part by, a reduction in costs driven by sales optimization efforts. Acquisition-related costs are driven by the 2-10 HBW Acquisition and represent direct third-party costs, including legal, accounting and financial advisory fees. Other general and administrative costs increased primarily due to increased personnel costs.

Previous wording

Depreciation expense was $32 million and $27 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with the increase primarily driven by incremental capital expenditures in the period. Amortization expense was $4 million and $7 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with the decrease primarily driven by the impairment to the Streem reporting unit in the third quarter of 2022.

Current wording

Depreciation expense was $35 million and $32 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, with the increase primarily driven by incremental capital expenditures in the period. Amortization expense was $4 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Previous wording

In 2023, restructuring charges primarily comprised $10 million in non-cash impairment charges related to the operating lease right-of-use assets and related property and equipment of certain of our leased and company-owned facilities as discussed further in Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, $2 million of professional fees and $3 million of severance costs. The impairment charges were the result of our decision to exit the leased and company-owned properties. The severance costs related to our continued review and optimization of selling, general and administrative expenses.

Current wording

In 2023, restructuring charges included $10 million in non-cash impairment charges related to the operating lease right-of-use assets and related property and equipment of certain of our leased and company-owned facilities as discussed further in Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, $2 million of professional fees and $3 million of severance costs. The impairment charges were the result of our decision to exit the leased and company-owned properties. The severance costs related to our continued review and optimization of selling, general and administrative expenses.

Previous wording

Interest expense was $40 million and $31 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase was driven by higher interest rates on our variable rate debt.

Current wording

Interest and net investment income was $20 million and $16 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily driven by higher cash and cash equivalents balances.

Previous wording

The effective tax rate on income was 25.0 percent and 23.8 percent for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a reduction in income tax credits in 2023, offset, in part, by the impact of the goodwill and intangibles impairment recorded in 2022 and the impact of a lower pre-tax income in 2022.

Current wording

The effective tax rate on income was 24.1 percent and 25.0 percent for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to stock-based compensation, offset, in part, by non-deductible acquisition-related transaction costs.

Previous wording

Net income was $171 million and $71 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with the increase primarily driven by the operating results discussed throughout “—Results of Operations” above.

Current wording

Net income was $235 million and $171 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, with the increase primarily driven by the operating results discussed throughout “—Results of Operations” above.

Previous wording

Adjusted EBITDA was $346 million and $214 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The following table provides a summary of the changes in our Adjusted EBITDA:

Current wording

Adjusted EBITDA was $443 million and $346 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The following table provides a summary of the changes in our Adjusted EBITDA:

Previous wording

The impact of change in revenue reflects improved price realization, offset, in part, by the reduction in number of home warranties.

Current wording

The impact of change in revenue is driven by improved price realization, offset, in part, by the reduction in number of home warranties, other than the 2-10 HBW home warranties acquired on December 19, 2024.

Previous wording

The decrease in contract claims costs primarily reflects a lower number of service requests per customer, including a $30 million favorable weather impact. The favorable impact on contract claims costs of continued process improvement initiatives specifically relating to better cost management efforts across our contractor network and a transition to higher service fees, were offset, in part, by ongoing inflationary cost pressures. Additionally, contract claims costs reflects an $11 million favorable adjustment related to the development of prior period claims, compared to a $12 million unfavorable adjustment in 2022.

Current wording

The decrease in contract claims costs primarily reflects the impact of higher trade service fees, which drove a lower number of home warranty service requests per customer and a lower net cost per service request, a favorable weather impact of $8 million, as milder weather drove a lower number of home warranty service requests in the HVAC trade, and continued process improvement initiatives, specifically relating to better cost management across our contractor network. The decrease was offset, in part, by ongoing inflationary cost pressures. Additionally, contract claims costs reflects a $5 million favorable adjustment in 2024 related to the development of prior period claims, compared to a $11 million favorable adjustment in 2023.

Previous wording

Sales and marketing costs increased primarily due to our investment in marketing associated with the Frontdoor brand and our direct-to-consumer channel. The decrease in customer service costs was primarily driven by a lower number of service requests. General and administrative costs increased primarily due to increased personnel costs.

Current wording

Sales and marketing costs increased primarily due to our investment in marketing associated with our direct-to-consumer channel, offset, in part by, a reduction in costs driven by sales optimization efforts. Other general and administrative costs increased primarily due to increased personnel costs.

Previous wording

(1)We exclude goodwill and intangibles impairment and restructuring charges from Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they do not reflect our ongoing operations and because we believe doing so is useful to investors in aiding period-to-period comparability.

Current wording

We exclude restructuring charges, acquisition-related costs and loss on extinguishment of debt from Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they do not reflect our ongoing operations and because we believe doing so is useful to investors in aiding period-to-period comparability.

Previous wording

(2)We exclude non-cash stock-based compensation expense from Adjusted EBITDA primarily because it is a non-cash expense and because it is not used by management to assess ongoing operational performance. We believe excluding this expense from Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in aiding period-to-period comparability.

Current wording

We exclude non-cash stock-based compensation expense from Adjusted EBITDA because it is a non-cash expense and because it is not used by management to assess ongoing operational performance. We believe excluding this expense from Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in aiding period-to-period comparability.

Previous wording

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $325 million and $292 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our cash and cash equivalents include balances associated with regulatory requirements in our business. See “—Limitations on Distributions and Dividends by Subsidiaries.” As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the total net assets subject to these regulatory restrictions were $157 million and $145 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, there were $2 million of letters of credit outstanding under our $250 million Revolving Credit Facility, and the available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility was $248 million. The letters of credit are posted in lieu of cash to satisfy regulatory requirements in certain states in which we operate. We currently believe that cash generated from operations, our cash on hand and available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2023 will provide us with sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations in the short- and long-term.

Current wording

Cash and cash equivalents and short- and long-term marketable securities totaled $474 million and $325 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our cash and cash equivalents and short- and long-term marketable securities include balances associated with regulatory requirements in our business. See “—Limitations on Distributions and Dividends by Subsidiaries.” As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the total net assets subject to these third-party restrictions were $184 million and $157 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, there was $2 million of letters of credit outstanding under our $250 million Revolving Credit Facility, and the available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility was $248 million. The letters of credit are posted in lieu of cash to satisfy regulatory requirements in certain states in which we operate. We currently believe that cash generated from operations, our cash on hand and available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2024 will provide us with sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations in the short- and long-term.

Previous wording

We closely monitor the performance of our investment portfolio, primarily cash deposits. From time to time, we review the statutory reserve requirements to which our regulated entities are subject and any changes to such requirements. These reviews may result in identifying current reserve levels above or below minimum statutory reserve requirements, in which case we may adjust our reserves. The reviews may also identify opportunities to satisfy certain regulatory reserve requirements through alternate financial vehicles.

Current wording

We closely monitor the performance of our investment portfolio, primarily cash deposits and short- and long-term marketable securities. We regularly review the statutory reserve requirements to which our regulated entities are subject and any changes to such requirements. These reviews may result in identifying current reserve levels above or below minimum statutory reserve requirements, in which case we may adjust our reserves. The reviews may also identify opportunities to satisfy certain regulatory reserve requirements through alternate financial vehicles.