LendingClub Corporation (NYSE:LC) reported fourth-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of 3 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 2 cents. Notably, the figure excludes certain non-recurring items along with stock-based compensation expenses.
Results reflected growth in revenues, driven by higher volume of loan originations. Moreover, a decline in expenses supported results to some extent. However, lower loan balances along with fall in cash and cash equivalents were headwinds for the company.
After taking into consideration non-recurring items, consolidated net loss was $13.4 million compared with net loss of $92.1 million reported in the year-ago quarter.
Revenues Improve & Costs Decline
Total net revenues grew 16.0% year over year to $181.5 million. The increase was driven by higher volume of loan originations. However, the reported figure marginally lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $181.8 million.
Total operating expenses were $194.9 million, decreasing 21.4% from the prior-year quarter. The decline was due to the absence of class action and regulatory litigation expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA totaled $28.5 million, up 49.4% from the prior-year quarter.
In the reported quarter, loan originations were $2.9 billion, up 17.8% from the year-ago quarter.
As of Dec 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalents were $373 million, down 7.2% from the Dec 31, 2017 level. Loans held for investment at fair value were down 35.8% year over year to $1.9 billion. Total stockholders' equity was $869.2 million, down from $922.5 million recorded as of Dec 31, 2017.
Guidance
Concurrent with the results, management provided guidance for first-quarter and 2019.
First-Quarter 2019
- Total net revenues of $162-$172 million
- Adjusted EBITDA of $13-$18 million
- Stock-based compensation expenses of nearly $18 million
- Depreciation, amortization and other net adjustments of roughly $15 million
- GAAP and adjusted net loss of $20-$15 million
Full-Year 2019
- Total net revenues of $765-$795 million
- Adjusted EBITDA of $115-$135 million
- Stock-based compensation expenses of around $81 million
- Depreciation, amortization and other net adjustments of roughly $63 million
- GAAP and adjusted net loss of $29-$9 million
Bottom Line
LendingClub’s revenue growth is commendable on the back of strong loan originations. Also, rise in adjusted EBITDA is impressive.
Nonetheless, declining loan balance remains a headwind. Further, the company’s exposure to numerous legal hassles might keep expenses elevated in the near term.
LendingClub currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.
Performance of Other Finance Stocks
CIT Group (NYSE:CIT) reported fourth-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings from continuing operations of $1.21 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.10. Also, the bottom line came in higher than the prior-year figure of 99 cents.
Moody's Corporation (NYSE:MCO) reported fourth-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of $1.63 per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.71. However, the figure improved 8% from the year-ago quarter.
Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HTGC) is slated to announce quarterly results tomorrow.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
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Moody's Corporation (MCO): Free Stock Analysis Report
LendingClub Corporation (LC): Free Stock Analysis Report
Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC): Free Stock Analysis Report
CIT Group Inc. (CIT): Free Stock Analysis Report
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