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Chegg(CHGG) - 2020 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2020, total revenue reached $154 million, representing a 64% increase year-over-year, primarily driven by a 69% growth in subscribers to 3.7 million [29][10] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $32 million, indicating strong leverage in the business model while making investments for future growth [29] - The company ended the quarter with approximately $1.8 billion in cash and investments, reflecting a solid financial position [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Chegg Services revenue is expected to be between $162 million and $164 million for Q4 2020, contributing to a full-year guidance of $507 million to $509 million for Chegg Services [32][33] - The Chegg Study Pack has seen higher than expected take rates, indicating strong demand for this offering [38][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company provides services to students in over 190 countries, with 25% of new questions asked from international students in Q3 [21][20] - The international market has shown significant growth, with students increasingly seeking online support due to the pandemic [20][19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Chegg is focused on transitioning higher education to a more on-demand, student-centric model that leverages technology [8][11] - The company is investing in skills-based learning and expanding its curriculum to match in-demand jobs, which is seen as a better model for education [22][24] - Chegg aims to connect academic pathways to professional opportunities, reinforcing its commitment to supporting students throughout their learning journey [24][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the continued demand for online learning support, driven by changing student needs and preferences [12][17] - The company raised its guidance for 2020 and provided an optimistic outlook for 2021, expecting total revenue of approximately $775 million [32][34] - Management noted that the pandemic has accelerated the shift towards online education, with students increasingly valuing flexible learning options [15][16] Other Important Information - Chegg was recognized as one of Fortune Magazine's Great Places to Work for the third consecutive year, highlighting its strong company culture [26] - The company has implemented measures to reduce account sharing, which has positively impacted subscriber growth [88][87] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on the Chegg Study Pack's performance? - Management reported great momentum with the Chegg Study Pack, noting higher than expected take rates both domestically and internationally [38] Question: What are the topline trends for Banko and Thinkful's revenue contribution? - Management indicated that all parts of the business are performing better than expected, with Thinkful showing significant growth potential [44][45] Question: How does the company view the impact of universities ending semesters early? - Management feels comfortable with Q4 guidance, incorporating current trends and behaviors observed in schools [53][54] Question: What assumptions are included in the 2021 outlook? - The outlook reflects continued growth, particularly in international markets, and improvements in account sharing efforts [61][62] Question: How is the international market performing compared to the U.S.? - The international business is reportedly more efficient than the U.S. business, with strong customer acquisition and engagement [73][74] Question: What updates can be provided on password sharing and pre-college offerings? - Management noted that investments in device management have started to yield benefits, and the focus remains on older students rather than younger ones [82][85]