Roblox Corp
For the period ended Sep 30, 2024. Filed Oct 31, 2024.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Sep 30, 2024 · Filed Oct 31, 2024
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-06-30; filed 2024-08-02.
0001315098-24-000166
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-09-30; filed 2024-10-31.
0001315098-24-000250
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 171 previous paragraphs and 172 current paragraphs.
127 unchanged; 41 reworded; 4 added; 3 removed; 0 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 15 previous and 15 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (4)
Current report
We believe that DAUs, hours engaged, and bookings are highly correlated and over time we would expect hours engaged to grow slightly faster than DAUs, and bookings to grow faster than hours engaged. There are many reasons, but generally over time, as the content on our Platform improves and DAUs increase in tenure, engagement tends to go up. Similarly, over time as the content improves and our Platform functionality gets better, we expect more users to become payers and for those payers, on average, to increase their purchase of Robux which drives up both average bookings per monthly unique payer and overall bookings per hour. Further, we expect growth in our payers and monetization to lead to growth in revenue and bookings. These expectations are over long periods of time. Within any given month or quarter, the behavior of the metrics has not been, and will not always be, consistent.
Current report
(1)Includes a one-time charge of $17.9 million related to the re-assessment of the estimated useful life of certain software licenses, resulting in the acceleration of their remaining depreciation within infrastructure and trust & safety expenses.
Current report
General and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million, or 1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $1.1 million in indirect and payroll related taxes and $1.0 million in facilities-related costs, offset by a $1.4 million decrease in business travel and related expenses.
Current report
(1)Includes a one-time charge of $17.9 million related to the re-assessment of the estimated useful life of certain software licenses, resulting in the acceleration of their remaining depreciation within infrastructure and trust & safety expenses.
Removed paragraphs (3)
Previous report
The overall increase in cost of revenue was offset by a $3.5 million decrease in prepaid card printing costs for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023.
Previous report
The increase in cost of revenue was offset by a $3.0 million decrease in prepaid card printing costs for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Previous report
General and administrative expenses increased $9.4 million, or 10%, for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $4.9 million in professional services and $3.0 million from a newly enacted digital services tax in Canada.
Reworded paragraphs (41)
Previous wording
Consistent with our free to play business model, a small portion of our users have historically been payers. For example, in the three months ended June 30, 2024, of our 79.5 million average DAUs, only approximately 983,000 represented our average daily unique paying users. Similarly, in the three months ended June 30, 2024, our average daily bookings per DAU was $0.13, whereas our average daily bookings per daily unique paying user was $10.68. We believe that maintaining and growing our overall number of users, including the number of users who may not purchase and spend Robux, is important to the success of our business. As a result, we believe that the number of users who choose to purchase and spend Robux will continue to constitute a small portion of our overall users.
Current wording
Consistent with our free to play business model, a small portion of our users have historically been payers. For example, in the three months ended September 30, 2024, of our 88.9 million average DAUs, only approximately 1,143,000 represented our average daily unique paying users. Similarly, in the three months ended September 30, 2024, our average daily bookings per DAU was $0.14, whereas our average daily bookings per daily unique paying user was $10.73. We believe that maintaining and growing our overall number of DAUs, including the number of DAUs who may not purchase and spend Robux, is important to the success of our business. As a result, we believe that the number of DAUs who choose to purchase and spend Robux will continue to constitute a small portion of our overall users.
Previous wording
We are continually innovating our Platform by investing in high fidelity avatars, more realistic experiences, artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools, and other social features. In the second half of 2024 and into 2025, we expect to implement certain Platform policy and other changes in anticipation of and in response to regulatory requirements and evolving guidance from leading global organizations focused on child and internet safety in the United States and abroad. These changes could impact user engagement, revenue, and bookings, particularly from younger users.
Current wording
We are continually innovating our Platform by investing in high fidelity avatars, more realistic experiences, artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools, and other social features. In the second half of 2024 and into 2025, we have implemented, and expect to continue to implement, certain Platform policy and other changes in anticipation of and in response to regulatory requirements and evolving guidance from leading global organizations focused on child and internet safety in the United States and abroad. These changes could impact user engagement, revenue, and bookings, particularly from younger users.
Previous wording
(1)Relates to cash severance costs associated with the Company’s return-to-office (“RTO”) plan announced in October 2023, which requires a subset of the Company’s remote employees to begin working from the San Mateo headquarters for three days a week, beginning in the summer of 2024.
Current wording
(2)Relates to cash severance costs associated with the Company’s return-to-office (“RTO”) plan announced in October 2023, which required a subset of the Company’s remote employees to begin working from the San Mateo headquarters for three days a week, beginning in the summer of 2024.
Previous wording
(2)Includes impairment expense related to certain operating lease right-of-use assets and related property and equipment.
Current wording
(3)Includes impairment expense related to certain operating lease right-of-use assets and related property and equipment.
Previous wording
At the onset of each quarter, we complete an assessment of our estimated average lifetime of a paying user, which is used for revenue recognition of durable virtual items and calculated based on historical monthly retention data for each paying user cohort to project future participation on the Roblox Platform. Following that assessment and effective April 1, 2024, the average lifetime of a paying user was estimated to be 27 months, a decrease compared to the previous estimate of 28 months. The estimated paying user life was also 28 months during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.
Current wording
At the onset of each quarter, we complete an assessment of our estimated average lifetime of a paying user, which is used for revenue recognition of durable virtual items and calculated based on historical monthly retention data for each paying user cohort to project future participation on the Roblox Platform. Following that assessment and effective April 1, 2024, the average lifetime of a paying user was estimated to be 27 months, a decrease compared to the previous estimate of 28 months. The estimated paying user life was also 28 months during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Previous wording
Based on the carrying amount of deferred revenue and deferred cost of revenue as of March 31, 2024, the change resulted in an increase in revenue and cost of revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2024 of $58.9 million and $12.4 million, respectively. It is estimated that this change will increase our fiscal year 2024 revenue and cost of revenue by $98.0 million and $20.4 million, respectively.
Current wording
Based on the carrying amount of deferred revenue and deferred cost of revenue as of March 31, 2024, the change resulted in an increase in revenue and cost of revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2024 of $26.4 million and $5.4 million, respectively, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 by $85.3 million and $17.8 million, respectively. It is estimated that this change will increase our fiscal year 2024 revenue and cost of revenue by $98.0 million and $20.4 million, respectively.
Previous wording
Personnel costs generally include employee expenses (salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation expense) and contractor expenses, and are reflected in each expense category, with the exception of cost of revenue and developer exchange fees. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, personnel costs were $456.5 million and $923.3 million, respectively, and during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, were $416.7 million and $789.7 million, respectively.
Current wording
Personnel costs generally include employee expenses (salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation expense) and contractor expenses, and are reflected in each expense category, with the exception of cost of revenue and developer exchange fees. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, personnel costs were $467.4 million and $1,390.7 million, respectively, and during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, were $415.9 million and $1,205.6 million, respectively.
Previous wording
Cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue is affected by shifts in user purchasing preferences and trends. While in recent years, we saw a shift of our sales toward prepaid card distribution channels and credit card sales directly through our website, which are subject to lower processing fees compared to other distribution channels, such as the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and consoles such as Xbox and PlayStation, we have seen this trend moderate over the last several quarters with some seasonal variations. We expect to see the overall distribution channel mix shift to higher processing fees continue in future periods with some seasonal variations.
Current wording
Cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue is affected by shifts in user purchasing preferences and trends. While in recent years, we saw a shift of our sales toward prepaid card distribution channels and credit card sales directly through our website, which are subject to lower processing fees compared to other distribution channels, such as the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and consoles such as Xbox and PlayStation, we have seen this trend moderate over the last several quarters with some seasonal variations. We expect to see the overall distribution channel mix shift based on user purchasing preferences, demographics and seasonal variations in future periods.
Previous wording
In order to be qualified for our Developer Exchange Program and eligible to exchange earned Robux for real-world currency, developers and creators must meet certain conditions, such as having earned the minimum amount of Robux required to qualify for the program, a verified developer account, and an account in good standing. On January 31, 2022, we reduced the minimum amount of earned Robux required to qualify for the program from 100,000 Robux to 50,000 Robux and subsequently on January 31, 2023, we further reduced the minimum requirement from 50,000 Robux to 30,000 Robux. We believe these reductions in the minimum amounts required further incentivize our developer and creator community, and promote the long term growth and the health of such community. As of June 30, 2024, over 20,000 developers and creators qualified for and were registered in our Developer Exchange Program.
Current wording
In order to be qualified for our Developer Exchange Program and eligible to exchange earned Robux for real-world currency, developers and creators must meet certain conditions, such as having earned the minimum amount of Robux required to qualify for the program, a verified developer account, and an account in good standing. On January 31, 2022, we reduced the minimum amount of earned Robux required to qualify for the program from 100,000 Robux to 50,000 Robux and subsequently on January 31, 2023, we further reduced the minimum requirement from 50,000 Robux to 30,000 Robux. We believe these reductions in the minimum amounts required further incentivize our developer and creator community, and promote the long term growth and the health of such community. As of September 30, 2024, over 22,500 developers and creators qualified for and were registered in our Developer Exchange Program.
Previous wording
Infrastructure and trust & safety expenses consist primarily of expenses related to the operation of our data centers and technical infrastructure. These costs include third-party service providers costs, such as cloud computing or other hosting and data storage, facilities-related expenses for our co-located data centers and edge data centers that we lease and operate, and network and bandwidth costs, as well as depreciation and associated support and maintenance costs of our servers and infrastructure equipment. Depreciation and amortization expense related to infrastructure and trust & safety in the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $45.4 million and $45.8 million, respectively, and in the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $91.6 million and $86.8 million, respectively.
Current wording
Infrastructure and trust & safety expenses consist primarily of expenses related to the operation of our data centers and technical infrastructure. These costs include third-party service providers costs, such as cloud computing or other hosting and data storage, facilities-related expenses for our co-located data centers and edge data centers that we lease and operate, and network and bandwidth costs, as well as depreciation and associated support and maintenance costs of our servers and infrastructure equipment. Depreciation and amortization expense related to infrastructure and trust & safety in the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $61.3 million and $46.0 million, respectively, and in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $152.9 million and $132.8 million, respectively.
Previous wording
We plan to continue increasing the capacity, capability, and reliability of our infrastructure to support more sophisticated content, more users, and increased engagement. We also have been, and expect to continue, moderating our investment in infrastructure throughout fiscal year 2024, but generally expect to increase the dollar amount of our investment in infrastructure for the foreseeable future thereafter as we continue to build out our global infrastructure. We intend to achieve scalability by building and maintaining our own technical infrastructure, while generally generating operating leverage over the long-term.
Current wording
We plan to continue increasing the capacity, capability, and reliability of our infrastructure to support more sophisticated content, more users, and increased engagement. Through the end of 2023, we were investing heavily in our infrastructure, and as a result, we were able to moderate our investment in infrastructure throughout fiscal year 2024, but expect to increase our investment supporting our global infrastructure over the long-term. We intend to achieve scalability by building and maintaining our own technical infrastructure, while generating operating leverage over the long-term.
Previous wording
Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and allocated overhead expenses for our engineering, design, product management, data science, and other employees engaged in maintaining and enhancing the functionality of the Platform. Research and development expenses also include costs associated with our Game Fund program, which funds certain developers upfront to develop new experience types for the Platform. We plan to increase research and development expenses for the foreseeable future primarily driven by increased headcount to develop new features, functionality, and innovation of our product. However, we have been, and expect to continue, slowing our headcount growth rate throughout fiscal year 2024 and expect to continue to generate operating leverage generally through the end of fiscal year 2025.
Current wording
Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and allocated overhead expenses for our engineering, design, product management, data science, and other employees engaged in maintaining and enhancing the functionality of the Platform. Research and development expenses also include costs associated with our Game Fund program, which funds certain developers upfront to develop new experience types for the Platform. We plan to increase research and development expenses for the foreseeable future primarily driven by increased headcount to develop new features, functionality, and innovation of our product. However, we have been, and expect to continue, moderating our headcount growth rate throughout fiscal year 2024 and expect to continue to generate operating leverage generally through the end of fiscal year 2025.
Previous wording
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and allocated overhead for our finance and accounting, legal, human resources, talent acquisition, and other administrative teams. General and administrative expenses also include professional services fees such as outside legal, accounting, audit, and outsourcing services, and other corporate expenses, as well as certain accruals and settlements associated with legal proceedings. We have been, and expect to continue, moderating our headcount growth in fiscal year 2024, but generally expect to increase general and administrative expenses for the foreseeable future thereafter to support the growth of the business.
Current wording
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and allocated overhead for our finance and accounting, legal, human resources, talent acquisition, and other administrative teams. General and administrative expenses also include professional services fees such as outside legal, accounting, audit, and outsourcing services, and other corporate expenses, as well as certain accruals and settlements associated with legal proceedings. We have been, and expect to continue, moderating our headcount growth rate in fiscal year 2024, but generally expect to increase general and administrative expenses for the foreseeable future thereafter to support the growth of the business.
Previous wording
Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
Current wording
Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Previous wording
Revenue increased $212.8 million, or 31%, for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to a higher amortization of prior period deferred revenue and an increase in bookings in the current period. The increase in the amortization of prior period deferred revenue was supplemented by the decrease of the estimated average lifetime of a paying user to 27 months in the second quarter of 2024. Refer to the heading “Changes in Accounting Estimate” earlier in this section above for more information on the change in paying user life estimates in fiscal year 2024.
Current wording
Revenue increased $205.7 million, or 29%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to a higher amortization of prior period deferred revenue and an increase in bookings in the current period. The increase in the amortization of prior period deferred revenue was supplemented by the decrease of the estimated average lifetime of a paying user to 27 months in the second quarter of 2024. Refer to the heading “Changes in Accounting Estimate” earlier in this section above for more information on the change in paying user life estimates in fiscal year 2024.
Previous wording
The increase in bookings during the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023 was primarily driven by a higher average number of daily unique paying users during the current period, which increased from approximately 790,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2023 to approximately 983,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The average number of daily unique paying users represents the number of user accounts that made a payment on the Platform, including via redemption of prepaid cards for Robux, on an average daily basis during the respective period.
Current wording
The increase in bookings during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily driven by a higher average number of daily unique paying users during the current period, which increased from approximately 870,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023 to approximately 1,143,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024. The average number of daily unique paying users represents the number of user accounts that made a payment on the Platform, including via redemption of prepaid cards for Robux, on an average daily basis during the respective period.
Previous wording
Revenue increased $358.7 million, or 27%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to higher amortization of prior period deferred revenue and an increase in bookings in the current period. The increase in the amortization of prior period deferred revenue was supplemented by the decrease of the estimated average lifetime of a paying user to 27 months in the second quarter of 2024. Refer to the heading “Changes in Accounting Estimate” earlier in this section above for more information on the change in paying user life estimates in fiscal year 2024.
Current wording
Revenue increased $564.5 million, or 28%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to higher amortization of prior period deferred revenue and an increase in bookings in the current period. The increase in the amortization of prior period deferred revenue was supplemented by the decrease of the estimated average lifetime of a paying user to 27 months in the second quarter of 2024. Refer to the heading “Changes in Accounting Estimate” earlier in this section above for more information on the change in paying user life estimates in fiscal year 2024.
Previous wording
The increase in bookings during the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023 was primarily driven by a higher average number of daily unique paying users during the current period, which increased from approximately 801,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2023 to approximately 949,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2024.
Current wording
The increase in bookings during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily driven by a higher average number of daily unique paying users during the current period, which increased from approximately 824,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to approximately 1,013,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Previous wording
Cost of revenue increased $36.5 million, or 23%, for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to anet increase of$41.5 million in expense for payment processing fees, primarily driven by a higher amortization of prior period deferred cost of revenue and an increase in current period payment processing fees from the related growth in bookings. The increase in the amortization of prior period deferred cost of revenue was supplemented by the decrease of the estimated average lifetime of a paying user to 27 months in the second quarter of 2024. Refer to the heading “Changes in Accounting Estimate” earlier in this section above for more information on the change in paying user life estimates in fiscal year 2024.
Current wording
Cost of revenue increased $41.4 million, or 25%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to anet increase of$40.9 million in expense for payment processing fees, primarily driven by a higher amortization of prior period deferred cost of revenue and an increase in current period payment processing fees from the related growth in bookings. The increase in the amortization of prior period deferred cost of revenue was supplemented by the decrease of the estimated average lifetime of a paying user to 27 months in the second quarter of 2024. Refer to the heading “Changes in Accounting Estimate” earlier in this section above for more information on the change in paying user life estimates in fiscal year 2024.
Previous wording
Cost of revenue increased $63.6 million, or 20%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. Theincrease is primarily due to a netincrease of$68.3 million in expense for payment processing fees, primarily driven by a higher amortization of prior period deferred cost of revenue and an increase in current period payment processing fees from the related growth in bookings. The increase in the amortization of prior period deferred cost of revenue was supplemented by the decrease of the estimated average lifetime of a paying user to 27 months in the second quarter of 2024. Refer to the heading “Changes in Accounting Estimate” earlier in this section above for more information on the change in paying user life estimates in fiscal year 2024.
Current wording
Cost of revenue increased $105.0 million, or 22%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Theincrease is primarily due to a netincrease of$109.2 million in expense for payment processing fees, primarily driven by a higher amortization of prior period deferred cost of revenue and an increase in current period payment processing fees from the related growth in bookings. The increase in the amortization of prior period deferred cost of revenue was supplemented by the decrease of the estimated average lifetime of a paying user to 27 months in the second quarter of 2024. Refer to the heading “Changes in Accounting Estimate” earlier in this section above for more information on the change in paying user life estimates in fiscal year 2024.
Previous wording
Developer exchange fees increased $42.4 million, or 26%, for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase is primarily driven by an increase in amounts earned by developers and creators due to the growth in bookings over the same period. However, the growth in developer exchange fees exceeded the growth in bookings, primarily driven by the timing of the Easter holiday (which took place at the end of the first quarter of 2024 and the beginning of the second quarter of 2023) and the subsequent redemption of Robux generated from prepaid cards purchased around the holiday.
Current wording
Developer exchange fees increased $60.8 million, or 36%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is primarily driven by an increase in amounts earned by developers and creators due to the growth in bookings over the same period.
Previous wording
Developer exchange fees increased $62.4 million, or 18%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. Theincrease is primarily driven by an increase in amounts earned by developers and creators due to the growth in bookings over the same period. However, the growth in bookings exceeded the growth in developer exchange fees, primarily driven by changes in non-USD pricing, which impacts the amount of developer exchange fees incurred.
Current wording
Developer exchange fees increased $123.2 million, or 24%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Theincrease is primarily driven by an increase in amounts earned by developers and creators due to the growth in bookings over the same period.
Previous wording
Infrastructure and trust & safety expenses decreased $4.0 million, or 2%, for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease is primarily driven by a decrease of $7.8 million in moderation and customer support related costs primarily due to internal efficiency gains and automation from AI-driven tools and $6.0 million related to data center and technical infrastructure expenses (including depreciation and amortization) and hosting costs associated with providing the Platform to our users. The overall decrease was offset by an increase of $7.1 million in personnel costs, which includes an increase of $5.3 million in stock-based compensation expense, primarily due to an increase in headcount to support our infrastructure growth, and $1.4 million in facilities-related costs, primarily driven by higher rent expense associated with our office leases.
Current wording
Infrastructure and trust & safety expenses increased $25.6 million, or 12%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is primarily driven by $17.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense related to certain software licenses as the Company re-assessed the estimated useful life of these licenses in the third quarter of 2024. The increase was further supplemented by an increase of $12.7 million related to data center and technical infrastructure expenses (including depreciation and amortization) and hosting costs associated with providing the Platform to our users, as well as an increase of $5.4 million in personnel costs, which includes an increase of $4.6 million in stock-based compensation expense. The overall increase was offset by a decrease of $7.8 million in moderation and customer support related costs primarily due to internal efficiency gains and automation from AI-driven tools.
Previous wording
Infrastructure and trust & safety expenses increased $11.9 million, or 3%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. Theincrease is primarily due to an increase of$23.3 million in personnel costs, which includes an increase of $14.0 million in stock-based compensation expense, primarily due to an increase in headcount to support our infrastructure growth, and $3.1 million in facilities-related costs, primarily driven by higher rent expense associated with our office leases. The overall increase was offset bya decrease of $9.9 million in moderation and customer support related costs primarily due to internal efficiency gains and automation from AI-driven tools and $6.8 million related to data center and technical infrastructure expenses (including depreciation and amortization) and hosting costs associated with providing the Platform to our users.
Current wording
Infrastructure and trust & safety expenses increased $37.5 million, or 6%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Theincrease is primarily due to an increase of $31.2 million related to data center and technical infrastructure expenses (including depreciation and amortization) associated with providing the Platform to our users. The increase was further supplemented by an increase of$28.7 million in personnel costs, which includes an increase of $18.6 million in stock-based compensation expense, and $17.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense related to certain software licenses as the Company re-assessed the estimated useful life of these licenses in the third quarter of 2024. The overall increase was offset bya decrease of $18.1 million in hosting costs as a result of savings realized from the renegotiation of a contract with a third party cloud service provider in the third quarter of 2023 and $17.7 million in moderation and customer support related costs primarily due to internal efficiency gains and automation from AI-driven tools.
Previous wording
Research and development expenses increased $132.9 million, or 22%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $103.9 million in personnel costs, which includes an increase of $76.8 million in stock-based compensation expense, primarily due to growth in headcount supporting our engineering, design, and product teams. The increase was further supplemented by an increase of $16.6 million in facilities-related costs, primarily driven by higher rent expense associated with our office leases.
Current wording
Research and development expenses increased $43.8 million, or 14%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $41.9 million in personnel costs, which includes an increase of $33.4 million in stock-based compensation expense, primarily due to growth in headcount supporting our engineering, design, and product teams.
Previous wording
Research and development expenses increased $46.4 million, or 15%, for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $33.5 million in personnel costs, which includes an increase of $32.8 million in stock-based compensation expense, primarily due to growth in headcount supporting our engineering, design, and product teams. The increase was further supplemented by an increase of $7.8 million in facilities-related costs, primarily driven by higher rent expense associated with our office leases.
Current wording
Research and development expenses increased $176.7 million, or 19%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $145.9 million in personnel costs, which includes an increase of $110.2 million in stock-based compensation expense, primarily due to growth in headcount supporting our engineering, design, and product teams. The increase was further supplemented by an increase of $21.7 million in facilities-related costs, primarily driven by higher rent expense associated with our office leases.
Previous wording
General and administrative expenses increased $9.7 million, or 5%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $7.7 million in professional services, $3.0 million from a newly enacted digital services tax in Canada, $2.6 million of withholding-related taxes, and $2.4 million in facilities-related costs. The increase was offset by an impairment charge of $7.0 million related to the operating lease right-of-use asset and related leasehold improvements of a portion of our San Mateo headquarters for which a sub-lease agreement was executed during the first quarter of 2023.
Current wording
General and administrative expenses increased $10.9 million, or 4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $8.5 million in professional services, $6.6 million of indirect and payroll related taxes, of which $3.3 million relates to a newly enacted digital services tax in Canada, $3.4 million in facilities-related costs, and $2.9 million of withholding-related taxes. The increase was offset by an impairment charge of $7.0 million related to the operating lease right-of-use asset and related leasehold improvements of a portion of our San Mateo headquarters for which a sub-lease agreement was executed during the first quarter of 2023, as well as a decrease of $4.4 million in contractor costs.
Previous wording
Sales and marketing expenses increased $6.0 million, or 20%, for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $3.5 million in advertising and promotional expenses and$2.3 million in personnel costs, which includes anincrease of$1.5 millionin stock-based compensation expense, primarily due to continued growth in headcount to support our sales and marketing teams.
Current wording
Sales and marketing expenses increased $11.7 million, or 29%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $4.8 million in advertising and promotional expenses and$5.0 million in personnel costs, which includes anincrease of$3.0 millionin stock-based compensation expense, primarily due to continued growth in headcount to support our sales and marketing teams.
Previous wording
Sales and marketing expenses increased $14.7 million, or 26%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $7.7 million in personnel costs, which includes an increase of $3.4 million in stock-based compensation expense, primarily due to continued growth in headcount to support our sales and marketing teams, and an increase of $5.1 million in advertising and promotional expenses.
Current wording
Sales and marketing expenses increased $26.5 million, or 27%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $12.8 million in personnel costs, which includes an increase of $6.4 million in stock-based compensation expense, primarily due to continued growth in headcount to support our sales and marketing teams, and an increase of $9.9 million in advertising and promotional expenses.
Previous wording
Interest income increased by $9.6 million, or 28%, for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to three months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to higher average investments in debt securities. Interest income increased by $20.7 million, or 31%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to higher average investments in debt securities and higher interest rates.
Current wording
Interest income increased by $10.3 million, or 28%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to higher average investments in debt securities. Interest income increased by $31.0 million, or 30%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to higher average investments in debt securities and higher interest rates.
Previous wording
Other income/(expense), net income changed by $6.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to three months ended June 30, 2023, primarily driven by a $5.0 million business interruption insurance recovery recognized during the second quarter of 2023 related to a fourth quarter 2021 Platform outage. Other income/(expense), net changed by $6.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily driven by an increase in foreign currency exchange losses.
Current wording
Other income/(expense), net income changed by $6.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily driven by an increase in foreign currency exchange gains. Other income/(expense), net was relatively flat (in terms of amount) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Previous wording
Interest expense and provision for/(benefit from) income taxes, net were all relatively flat (in terms of amount) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same periods of the prior year.
Current wording
Interest expense and provision for/(benefit from) income taxes, net were all relatively flat (in terms of amount) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same periods of the prior year.
Previous wording
As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our principal sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments of $3.6 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively, which were primarily held for working capital purposes, capital expenditures, and acquisitions. Our investment policy and strategy are focused on the preservation of capital and supporting our liquidity requirements. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes.
Current wording
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our principal sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments of $3.9 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively, which were primarily held for working capital purposes, capital expenditures, and acquisitions. Our investment policy and strategy are focused on the preservation of capital and supporting our liquidity requirements. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes.
Previous wording
(1)Relates to cash severance costs associated with the Company’s return-to-office (“RTO”) plan announced in October 2023, which requires a subset of the Company’s remote employees to begin working from the San Mateo headquarters for three days a week, beginning in the summer of 2024.
Current wording
(2)Relates to cash severance costs associated with the Company’s return-to-office (“RTO”) plan announced in October 2023, which required a subset of the Company’s remote employees to begin working from the San Mateo headquarters for three days a week, beginning in the summer of 2024.
Previous wording
(2)Includes impairment expense related to certain operating lease right-of-use assets and related property and equipment.
Current wording
(3)Includes impairment expense related to certain operating lease right-of-use assets and related property and equipment.
Previous wording
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities was $390.4 million, which consisted of consolidated net loss of $479.1 million, adjusted by non-cash charges of $618.0 million and net cash inflows from the change in net operating assets and liabilities of $251.5 million. The non-cash charges were primarily comprised of stock-based compensation expense of $492.4 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $106.5 million. The net cash and cash equivalents inflow from the change in our net operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to a $197.7 million increase in deferred revenue, primarily due to bookings generated in the current period, and a $160.0 million decrease in accounts receivable, primarily driven by collection of outstanding accounts receivable and partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable from bookings generated in the current period. The overall increase was offset by a $52.6 million increase in deferred cost of revenue, primarily due to payment processing fees incurred in the current period, and a $29.3 million decrease in operating lease liabilities.
Current wording
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities was $637.8 million, which consisted of consolidated net loss of $719.6 million, adjusted by non-cash charges of $964.2 million and net cash inflows from the change in net operating assets and liabilities of $393.2 million. The non-cash charges were primarily comprised of stock-based compensation expense of $757.6 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $175.1 million. The net cash and cash equivalents inflow from the change in our net operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to a $409.8 million increase in deferred revenue, primarily due to bookings generated in the current period, and a $119.5 million decrease in accounts receivable, primarily driven by collection of outstanding accounts receivable and partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable from bookings generated in the current period. The overall increase was offset by a $99.5 million increase in deferred cost of revenue, primarily due to payment processing fees incurred in the current period, and a $54.6 million decrease due to payment of operating lease liabilities.
Previous wording
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities was $133.9 million, primarily consisting of $44.2 million of investment purchases– net of sales and maturities and capital expenditures of $86.4 million.
Current wording
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities was $767.6 million, primarily consisting of $647.6 million of investment purchases– net of sales and maturities, and capital expenditures of $117.2 million.
Previous wording
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities was $32.8 million, primarily consisting of $37.2 million from the exercise of stock options and purchase of shares under our employee stock purchase plan, offset by $4.5 million of post-acquisition purchase consideration payments related to the satisfaction of certain post-acquisition conditions related to our third quarter 2023 acquisition of Speechly, Inc.
Current wording
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities was $52.7 million, primarily consisting of $57.2 million from the exercise of stock options and purchase of shares under our employee stock purchase plan, offset by $4.5 million of post-acquisition purchase consideration payments related to the satisfaction of certain post-acquisition conditions related to our third quarter 2023 acquisition of Speechly, Inc.
Previous wording
The Company has letters of credit in connection with its office facilities in San Mateo, California and data center facilities in Ashburn, Virginia and Chicago, Illinois which are not reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. There have been no material changes to the Company’s letters of credit during the six months ended June 30, 2024. We did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as structured finance or special purpose entities that were established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other purposes.
Current wording
The Company has letters of credit in connection with its office facilities in San Mateo, California and data center facilities in Ashburn, Virginia and Chicago, Illinois which are not reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. There have been no material changes to the Company’s letters of credit during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. We did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as structured finance or special purpose entities that were established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other purposes.
Previous wording
Contractual commitments include obligations under operating leases for office facilities and data center operations. There have been no material changes to the nature of our operating lease commitments since December 31, 2023 other than for lease commitments primarily related to office facilities and space for data center operations in the ordinary course of business. Refer to Note 4, “Leases” in the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on the Company’s lease obligations.
Current wording
Contractual commitments include obligations under operating leases for office facilities and data center operations. There have been no material changes to the nature of our operating lease commitments since December 31, 2023, except for (i) the early termination of a data center lease in the third quarter of 2024 and (ii) lease commitments primarily related to office facilities and space for data center operations in the ordinary course of business. Refer to Note 4, “Leases” in the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on the Company’s lease obligations.
Showing the first 40 of 41 pairs. Open the source sections for the rest.