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CSGPCoStar Group

Real estate · Business Services · Nasdaq

CoStar Group is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, analytics, and 3D digital twin technology in the property markets. 10-K, Item 1

Headquarters
Arlington, VA
CEO
Andrew C. Florance
Next results
around Feb 23, 2027
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When the SEC's staff reviews a filing, it writes to the company with numbered questions, and the company answers each one in a letter. SEC publishes the exchange once the review is over, at least 20 business days later. Below: what the staff asked CSGP, and the company's answer to each question, quoted from the letters. A question is not an accusation; most reviews end with the company adding detail to its next filing.

Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

2015-07-02 to 2015-09-29 · 1 question · 1 letter from the SEC, 1 from the company
Review closed 2015-09-29
RevenueSegmentsResults discussion (MD&A)
Summary of significant accounting policies · Revenue recognition, page F-9
SEC asked
Please explain how your revenue recognition policy disclosures addresses revenue earned from your Apartments.com business. In this rega rd, it appears that Apartments.com earns revenue from advertising however your policy disclosure does not discuss this revenue stream. Indicate if all advertising revenue is subject to a subscription arrangement.
Rest of the question

If not, consider revising your disclosure s to include advertising revenue. Further, consider expanding your MD&A results of operations disclosure to discuss underlying metrics (e.g., number of paid clicks and price per click). In addition, consider providing the disclosure required by ASC 280 -10-50-40. Please advise.

CSGP answered
The Company respectfully advises the Staff that Apartments.com advertising revenue is generated by providing subscription-based advertising on its online marketplace for commercial real estate listings and apartment rentals. The Company charges a fixed monthly amount for these subscription-based advertising services. Advertising revenue generated from the Apartments.com business is not based on the number of paid clicks, price per click or other variable measurements.
Rest of the answer

The advertising subscription contract rates are primarily based on the number of advertised properties and the prominence and placement of advertised properties in the search results.

The Company considered revenue generated from the Apartments.com business when preparing its revenue recognition policy disclosure. Because advertising revenue derived from the Apartments.com business is subject to a subscription arrangement, the Company believes its existing disclosures regarding subscription-based services incorporate the treatment of the Apartments.com advertising revenue. The Company acknowledges the Staff's comment and respectfully advises the Staff that the Company intends to expand its existing disclosure in future filings to clarify that the advertising revenue derived from the Apartments.com business is subject to subscription arrangements.

The Company currently discloses metrics for subscription services, including subscription revenues of the Apartments.com business, in its MD&A results of operations disclosure. The Company believes these metrics are meaningful to investors. As previously noted, the advertising revenue generated from the Apartments.com business is not based on variable measurements and, as a result, metrics such as number of paid clicks and price per click are not relevant. The Company will continue to assess these and other metrics as the business continues to develop and grow. If, in the future, other metrics are deemed to provide meaningful disclosure to investors or gain similar significance to the metrics that are currently disclosed, the Company will include those metrics in its MD&A results of operations disclosure in its future periodic filings.

The Company considered the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280-10-50-40, Segment Reporting, in assessing the disclosures related to revenues from its services. All of the Company’s information and advertising services are similar in that they are derived from the building-specific data collected and analyzed by its researchers and maintained in the Company’s database. The Company’s services offer customers specialized tools for accessing, analyzing and using different portions of its commercial real estate database to meet their individual information and advertising needs. The Company delivers these similar services through the Internet and the database is maintained on the Company’s servers. Due to the fact that the Company’s information and advertising services are all derived from its database of commercial real estate information, the Company respectfully advises the Staff that its current disclosure is consistent with the requirements of ASC 280-10-50-40, Segment Reporting.

The Company acknowledges that: (i) the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing; (ii) it is the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) that comments by the Commission Staff or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing, and (iii) it is the Commission's position that the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

The Company believes that the foregoing is responsive to your comment. The Company understands that you will be reviewing its response and may have additional comments. If you have any questions concerning the Company's response please feel free to contact the undersigned at (202) 336-6920 or via email at bradecki@costargroup.com or Jonathan Coleman at (202) 336-6997 or via email at jcoleman@costargroup.com.

Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2015-07-16: 10-Q filed 2015-07-30 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2015-04-30 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Also in this review: closing letter, 2015-09-29

Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2011

2012-08-07 to 2012-10-18 · 5 questions · 3 letters from the SEC, 3 from the company
Review closed 2012-10-18
Liquidity and cashGoodwill and impairmentCritical estimatesSegmentsIncome taxesRevenue
Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates · Valuation of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets and Goodwill, page 37
SEC asked (1)
We note your disclosure on page F-28 that EBITDA for your international segment has been negative for the past three years. We further note your disclosure on page F-24 that the company has not had sufficient taxable income historically to utilize the foreign deferred tax assets, and it is uncertain whether you will generate sufficient taxable income in the future to utilize the foreign deferred tax assets.
Rest of the question

However, your disclosure on page 37 indicates that as of October 31, 2011, the estimated fair value of each of your reporting units substantially exceeded the carrying value of your reporting units. Please tell us the percentage by which the fair value of your international reporting unit exceeded the carrying value. Further, tell us how the actual cash flows achieved, to date, for your international reporting unit compare to the projected cash flows used in your discounted cash flows analysis, and what consideration you gave to disclosing the degree of uncertainty associated with the key assumptions used in determining fair value and the potential events and/or changes in circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the key assumptions used in determining fair value.

CSGP answered
The Company respectfully advises the Staff that the fair value of its international reporting unit exceeded the carrying value by approximately 117%.

The actual cash flows achieved for the international reporting unit for the period from October 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 were favorable compared to those used in the discounted cash flows analysis. Further, the Company continues to make investments in the international reporting unit which the Company believes will increase the total revenue earned by that reporting unit in the future.
Rest of the answer

The Company believes that its investments and the resulting increases in revenue will result in positive cash flows in the international reporting unit in the future. As a result, the Company continues to believe that the projected cash flows used in its discounted cash flow analysis are reflective of the projected performance of the international reporting unit.

The Company respectfully advises the Staff that it considered disclosing the degree of uncertainty associated with the key assumptions used in determining the fair value of its international reporting unit and the potential events and/or changes in circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the key assumptions used in determining fair value. After consideration, the Company did not disclose this supplemental information because the fair value of its international reporting unit was substantially in excess of the carrying value. In the future, should the Company determine that the fair value of the international reporting unit is not substantially in excess of its carrying value, the Company will consider disclosing supplemental information.

Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2012-08-14: 10-Q filed 2012-10-25 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-07-26 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies · Recent Accounting Pronouncements, page F-13
SEC asked (2)
We note your recent accounting pronouncements disclosures include a discussion of standards that you have already adopted as well as those that were recently issued but not yet adopted. Please tell us why you believe a separate discussion of those standards that were adopted during each of the periods presented is necessary here.
Rest of the question

In this regard, it would seem that a discussion of recently adopted standards, which materially impact your operations, would be more appropriate within the applicable subheadings in your summary of significant accounting policies. As such, please consider revising your disclosures in future filings to limit your discussion here to the disclosures required by SAB Topic 11M - Disclosure of the Impact that Recently Issued Accounting Standards Will Have on the Financial Statements of the Registrant When Adopted in a Future Period.

CSGP answered
The Company acknowledges the Staff's comment regarding the requirements of SAB Topic 11M. In future filings the Company will limit its disclosures in the “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” section to a discussion of recently issued accounting standards that the Company believes will have a material effect on its financial statements when adopted in a future period. Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2012-08-14: 10-Q filed 2012-10-25 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-07-26 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies · Recent Accounting Pronouncements, page F-13
SEC asked (3)
We note that you incorporated LoopNet’s December 31, 2011 Form 10-K and March 31, 2012 Form 10-Q into the Form 8-K/A filed on June 22, 2012. Please tell us how you considered Exchange Act Rule 12b-23(a)(3) to include the pertinent pages of the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q as an exhibit to the Form 8-K.
Rest of the question

In this regard, the financial statements that were incorporated by reference should have been filed with the Form 8- K/A. We refer you also to Compliance and Disclosure Interpretation 234.01 of the Exchange Act Rules available at http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/guidance/exchangeactrules-interps.htm.

CSGP answered
The Company acknowledges the Staff's comment regarding the requirements of Exchange Act Rule 12b-23. The Company respectfully informs the Staff that on August 14, 2012, the Company filed an amendment to the Form 8-K to include the pertinent pages of LoopNet's December 31, 2011 Form 10-K and March 31, 2012 Form 10-Q as exhibits to the Form 8-K.

In accordance with your letter, the Company acknowledges that: (i) the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing; (ii) it is the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) that
Rest of the answer

comments by the Commission staff or changes to disclosure in response to staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing, and (iii) it is the Commission's position that the Company may not assert staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

We believe that the foregoing is responsive to your comments. We understand that you will be reviewing the Company's responses and may have additional comments. If you have any questions concerning the Company's response please feel free to contact the undersigned at (202) 336-6920 or via email at bradecki@costar.com or Jonathan Coleman at (202) 336-6997 or via email at jcoleman@costar.com.

Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2012-08-14: 10-Q filed 2012-10-25 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-07-26 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates · Valuation of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets and Goodwill, page 37
SEC asked
We note your response to prior comment 1. To the extent your international operations have not achieved positive cash flows to date or have achieved minimal cash flows to date, and your future projected cash flows are largely dependent on investments in these operations and expected future increases in revenues from these investments, tell us what consideration you gave to disclosing these factors and the potential
Rest of the question

events or changes in circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect your analysis. See Section V of SEC Release No. 33-8350.

CSGP answered
The Company respectfully advises the Staff that the future projected cash flows from its international operations are not largely dependent on significant, future investments in those operations.

The Company considered disclosing the degree of uncertainty associated with the key assumptions used in determining the fair value of its international reporting unit. After consideration, the Company did not disclose this supplemental information because the fair value of its international reporting unit was substantially in excess of the carrying value.
Rest of the answer

The Company considered the guidance in Section V of SEC Release No. 33-8350 and concluded there were no potential events and/or changes in circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the Company's analysis.

The Company acknowledges the Staff's comment and respectfully advises the Staff that in future filings the Company will add supplemental information to its existing disclosures regarding its impairment analysis within Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The Company currently expects such disclosure will read as follows but this disclosure may change based on the facts and circumstances at the time of future filings:

“When performing our impairment analysis, we estimate the fair value of each reporting unit based on a projected discounted cash flow model that includes significant assumptions and estimates including our discount rate, growth rate and future financial performance. Assumptions about the discount rate are based on a weighted average cost of capital for comparable companies. Assumptions about the growth rate and future financial performance of a reporting unit are based on our forecasts, business plans, economic projections and anticipated future cash flows. These assumptions are subject to change from period to period and could be adversely impacted by the uncertainty surrounding global market conditions, commercial real estate conditions, and the competitive environment in which we operate. Changes in these or other factors could negatively affect our reporting units' fair value and potentially result in impairment charges. Such impairment charges could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.”

The Company acknowledges that: (i) the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing; (ii) it is the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) that comments by the Commission Staff or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing, and (iii) it is the Commission's position that the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

We believe that the foregoing is responsive to your comment. We understand that you will be reviewing the Company's response and may have additional comments. If you have any questions concerning the Company's response please feel free to contact the undersigned at (202) 336-6920 or via email at bradecki@costar.com or Jonathan Coleman at (202) 336-6997 or via email at jcoleman@costar.com.

Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2012-09-07: 10-Q filed 2012-10-25 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-07-26 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates · Valuation of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets and Goodwill, page 37
SEC asked
We note from your response to prior comment 1 that the future projected cash flows from your international operations are not largely dependent on significant future investments in these operations. However, we note the disclosures on page F-28 of your Form 10-K and page 23 of your recent Form 10-Q that EBITDA for your international segment has been negative for the past three years and the six months ended June 30,
Rest of the question

2012, respectively. We also note from your disclosure on page F-24 that the company has not had sufficient taxable income historically to utilize the foreign deferred tax assets and it is uncertain whether you will generate sufficient taxable income in the future. In addition, your response to comment 1 in your letter dated August 14, 2012 indicates that the company will continue to make investments in the international reporting unit, which you believe will increase the total revenues earned by that reporting unit in the future and that you believe your investments and the resulting increases in revenue will result in positive cash flows in the international reporting unit in the future. Please clarify your current response in light of the disclosures noted herein and the information provided in your prior response and explain further the source of the projected cash flows used in your impairment analysis. To the extent the projected cash flow assumptions differ significantly from your historical results for your international operations, please explain further for us the source of your projected cash flows and any uncertainties associated with achieving such results.

CSGP answered
To address the Staff's additional inquiries and to clarify the previous responses submitted by the Company, the response below provides additional information regarding the Company's historical results and the projected future performance of its international reporting unit.

The Company respectfully advises the Staff that the Company made investments in development beginning in 2011 to upgrade its international platform of services and expand the coverage of its service offerings within the international reporting unit.
Rest of the answer

These development costs represent costs incurred to modify the Company's existing technology in the United States (“U.S.”) in order to sell a similar platform of service offerings within the international reporting unit. These development costs accelerated from 2011 to 2012 and are not currently expected to continue beyond 2012, which is consistent with the Company's assumptions about the timing of the development costs included in the Company's impairment analysis.

The Company acknowledges the Staff's reference to the disclosure on page F-28 of its Form 10-K and page 23 of its recent Form 10-Q of negative EBITDA for the international operating segment for the past three years and the six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. Decreased revenue resulting from a depressed economic environment and the resulting downturn in the commercial real estate market contributed to negative EBITDA for the international reporting unit. Additionally, the accelerated investments described above for the development of the Company's upgraded international platform in 2011 and 2012 resulted in an increased cost structure, which also contributed to negative EBITDA for the international reporting unit.

The Company acknowledges the Staff's reference to the disclosure on page F-24 of its Form 10-K that the Company has not had sufficient taxable income historically to utilize the foreign deferred tax assets and it is uncertain whether the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in the future to utilize such deferred tax assets. Notwithstanding the Company's projections, it determined that a cumulative loss in recent years is a significant piece of negative evidence that is difficult to overcome when assessing whether a valuation allowance is needed. Based on the international reporting unit's successive years of negative pre-tax income, the Company believes the valuation allowance is appropriate. Although U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires the Company to maintain a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets, the Company expects that the financial performance of the international reporting unit will improve in the future for the reasons discussed below.

In 2012, the international reporting unit has achieved positive revenue growth through June 30, 2012, and the Company expects continued positive revenue growth in the international reporting unit from its existing platform through the end of 2012. The Company plans to release its upgraded platform of international service offerings at the end of 2012. In 2013, the Company expects revenue growth to continue to move towards positive growth levels experienced prior to the downturn in the commercial real estate market. For several years beyond 2013, due in part to the release of the upgraded platform of service offerings, the Company expects accelerated revenue growth for the international reporting unit. In addition, the Company expects operating expenses for the international reporting unit to decrease following completion of the development of the upgraded platform of international service offerings in 2012 and any related marketing efforts planned thereafter. As a result of the factors discussed above, the EBITDA results for the international reporting unit are expected to improve in 2013 and thereafter.

The primary source of the projected cash flows used in the Company's impairment analysis is revenue from international service offerings both under the existing platform and under the upgraded platform. The Company expects revenue from these sources will increase as a result of positive revenue growth from the existing platform as indicated above, anticipated further penetration of the Company's international subscription-based information services into a larger potential customer base for the upgraded platform and the successful cross-selling of the Company's service offerings under the upgraded platform to its customers in existing markets within the international reporting unit. The Company's projection of increased revenue for the international reporting unit is based on over 24 years of its historical experience growing its business, developing and launching new services, and expanding into new markets.

One of the key assumptions in the impairment analysis is the Company's growth rate. The 2012 actual revenue growth rate for the international reporting unit through June 30, 2012 exceeded the assumed revenue growth rate used in the impairment analysis, and the revenue growth rate for the remainder of 2012 is expected to continue to exceed the assumed revenue growth rate used in the impairment analysis. The Company continues to believe that the projected revenue growth rates it used in the impairment analysis for years beyond 2012 are reflective of the projected performance of the international reporting unit based on current commercial real estate market conditions and the fact that the assumed release date for the upgraded platform of service offerings for the international reporting unit is consistent with the release date used in the impairment analysis.

As discussed in the Company's prior response to comment 1, the actual cash flows achieved for the international reporting unit for the period from October 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 were favorable compared to those used in the Company's impairment analysis. In summary, both the revenue growth rate and financial performance of the international reporting unit for the period from October 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 have exceeded the assumptions used in the impairment analysis. Therefore, the Company continues to believe that the cash flow assumptions used in its impairment analysis are appropriate. These assumptions may change if there are significant changes in global market conditions, commercial real estate conditions or the competitive environment in which the Company operates.

As previously indicated, in future filings, the Company intends to modify its existing disclosures regarding its impairment analysis within Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The Company currently expects such disclosure will read as follows but this disclosure may change based on the facts and circumstances at the time of the filings (underlining shows language added since previous response):

“When performing our impairment analysis, we estimate the fair value of each reporting unit based on a projected discounted cash flow model that includes significant assumptions and estimates including our discount rate, growth rate and future financial performance. Assumptions about the discount rate are based on a weighted average cost of capital for comparable companies. Assumptions about the growth rate and future financial performance of a reporting unit are based on our forecasts, business plans, economic projections and anticipated future cash flows. Our assumptions regarding the future financial performance of the International reporting unit reflect our expectation that in 2013 the expenses for our International reporting unit will decrease, as we expect to complete our initiatives to upgrade the platform of services and expand the coverage of our service offerings within our International segment by the end of 2012. Additionally, our assumptions regarding the future financial performance of the International reporting unit reflect our expectation that revenues will increase as a result of further penetration of our international subscription-based information services and the successful cross-selling of our services to our customers in existing markets due to the release of our upgraded international platform and expansion of coverage of our international service offerings. These assumptions are subject to change from period to period and could be adversely impacted by the uncertainty surrounding global market conditions, commercial real estate conditions, and the competitive environment in which we operate. Changes in these or other factors could negatively affect our reporting units' fair value and potentially result in impairment charges. Such impairment charges could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.”

The Company acknowledges that: (i) the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing; (ii) it is the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) that comments by the Commission Staff or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing, and (iii) it is the Commission's position that the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

We believe that the foregoing is responsive to your comment. We understand that you will be reviewing the Company's response and may have additional comments. If you have any questions concerning the Company's response please feel free to contact the undersigned at (202) 336-6920 or via email at bradecki@costar.com or Jonathan Coleman at (202) 336-6997 or via email at jcoleman@costar.com.

Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2012-10-04: 10-Q filed 2012-10-25 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-07-26 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Also in this review: closing letter, 2012-10-18

2 other letters: notices that a filing will not be reviewed, requests to declare a registration effective, and the like

From the SEC's correspondence on EDGAR: staff letters (form UPLOAD) and company letters (form CORRESP), 19 letters filed since 2012-08-07. Questions and answers are matched by their numbers; topics come from words in each question. The reports are compared word for word (same form, before the first SEC letter against the first report after the company's reply). No AI.

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