Coupang (CPNG) 10-Q2023 Q3 Quarterly report

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Form 10-Q, including statements regarding our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “toward,” “will,” or “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions. These forward-looking statements include, or may be impacted by, the following:

We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q.

You should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We have based the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors described in Part 1, Item 1A, under the caption “Risk Factors,” of our 2022 Form 10-K and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q. The results, events, and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur, and actual results, events, or circumstances could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

In addition, statements such as “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this Form 10-Q. While we believe such information provides a

reasonable basis for these statements, such information may be limited or incomplete. Our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements.

The forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q or to reflect new information, actual results, revised expectations, or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures, or investments.

Investors and others should note that we may announce material business and financial information to our investors using our investor relations website (ir.aboutcoupang.com), our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), webcasts, press releases, conference calls, and social media. We use these mediums to communicate with investors and the general public about our company, our products, and other issues. It is possible that the information that we make available on our website may be deemed to be material information. We therefore encourage investors and others interested in our company to review the information that we make available on our website. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the information contained on our website as referenced in this paragraph is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q or any other report or document we file with the SEC.

The unaudited interim financial information reflects all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for fair presentation of the results of the interim period. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our 2022 Form 10-K.

In September 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-04, “Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50) - Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations.” The standard requires entities that use supplier finance programs to make disclosures about the key terms of the program, the balance sheet presentation of the related amounts and disclose the amounts outstanding, including providing a rollforward of such amounts. The adoption of the ASU in the first quarter resulted in incremental disclosures in our condensed consolidated financial statements, with the exception of the rollforward disclosure which will be effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023.

Details of total net revenues were as follows:

This level of revenue disaggregation takes into consideration how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Net retail sales are recognized from online product sales to consumers. Third-party merchant services represent commissions, advertising, logistics and fulfillment fees earned from merchants that sell their products through our online business, and delivery fees from restaurants. Other revenue includes revenue earned from our Rocket WOW membership program and various other offerings.

Contract liabilities consist of payments in advance of delivery and customer loyalty credits, which are included in deferred revenue on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. We recognized revenue of $89 million and $82 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, primarily related to payments in advance of delivery which were included in deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheets as of the beginning of the respective years.

We own and operate a retail business that primarily serves the Korean retail market. The Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) is our Chief Executive Officer. We have two operating and reportable segments: Product Commerce and Developing Offerings. These segments are based on how the CODM manages the business, allocates resources, makes operating decisions and evaluates operating performance.

Product Commerce primarily includes core Korean retail (owned inventory) and marketplace offerings (third-party merchants) and Rocket Fresh, our fresh grocery category offering, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings. Revenues from Product Commerce are derived primarily from online product sales of owned inventory to customers in Korea, commissions, and

logistics and fulfillment fees earned from merchants that sell products through our mobile application and website, and from Rocket WOW membership.

Developing Offerings primarily includes more nascent offerings and services, including Coupang Eats, our restaurant ordering and delivery service in Korea, Coupang Play, our online content streaming service in Korea, fintech, our retail operations in Taiwan, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings. Revenues from Developing Offerings are primarily generated from online restaurant ordering and delivery services in Korea and retail operations in Taiwan.

Our segment operating performance measure is segment adjusted EBITDA. Segment adjusted EBITDA is defined as income (loss) before income taxes for a period before depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation expense, interest expense, interest income, and other income (expense), net. Segment adjusted EBITDA also excludes impairments and other items that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations.

We generally allocate operating expenses to the respective segments based on usage. The CODM does not evaluate segments using asset information and, accordingly, we do not report asset information by segment.

Results of operations for the reportable segments and reconciliation to income (loss) before income taxes is as follows:

RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 is as follows:

The following table presents the effects of equity-based compensation in the condensed consolidated statements of operations:

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit costs and the portion of these costs charged to expense:

Our tax provision from income taxes for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate, and if our estimated tax rate changes, we make a cumulative adjustment. No income tax benefit was accrued for jurisdictions where we anticipate incurring a loss during the full fiscal year as the related deferred tax assets were fully offset by a valuation allowance. Our resulting effective tax rate differs from the applicable statutory rate, primarily due to the valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets, tax credits, the inclusion of the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) provisions and other permanent differences.

Given our current income and anticipated future income, we believe that there is a reasonable possibility that sufficient positive evidence may become available in future periods to allow us to reach a conclusion that the Korea valuation allowances will no longer be needed, which would result in the recognition of material net deferred tax assets and a corresponding material benefit to our tax provision. The timing and amount of any Korea valuation allowances being released are subject to change on the basis of the level of sustained income that we are able to achieve, and macroeconomic conditions, among various other factors.

We compute net income (loss) per share using the two-class method required for multiple classes of common stock and participating securities. As the liquidation and dividend rights are identical, the undistributed earnings or loss are allocated on a proportionate basis to each class of common stock, and the resulting basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders are therefore the same for Class A and Class B common stock on both an individual and a combined basis. Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock and potentially dilutive Class A and Class B potential common shares outstanding during the period.

Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP established a hierarchy framework to classify the fair value measurement into one of the three levels based on the observability of significant inputs to the measurement.

The following table summarizes our financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

We have agreements with third-party financial institutions to facilitate participating vendors’ and suppliers’ ability to settle payment obligations from us to designated third-party financial institutions. Participating vendors and suppliers may, at their sole discretion, settle obligations prior to their scheduled due dates at a discounted price to the participating financial institutions. The invoices that have been confirmed as valid under the program require payment, in full, based on the original standard invoice terms. Confirmed invoices owed to financial institutions under these programs are included within accounts payable and were $431 million and $337 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Coupang or the financial institutions may terminate the agreement upon given notice.

In June 2021, a fire extensively damaged our Deokpyeong fulfillment center (“FC Fire”) resulting in a loss of the inventory, building, equipment, and other assets at the site.

While we are insured on property losses from the FC Fire, investigations surrounding the fire continue. In September 2023 we received an additional refundable insurance cash advance payment of $59 million. We previously received a refundable cash advance payment in December 2022. We have recorded these refundable advances within other current liabilities when received and have not recognized any insurance benefit in our consolidated statements of operations to date. Whether and to what extent the advances will become non-refundable or additional proceeds will be received is currently unknown.

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income includes all changes in equity during a period that have yet to be recognized in income. The major components are foreign currency translation adjustments and actuarial gains (losses) on our defined severance benefits. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the ending balance in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income related to foreign currency translation adjustments was $(8) million and $45 million, respectively, and the amount related to actuarial losses on defined severance benefits was $(51) million and $(43) million, respectively.

Our short-term borrowings generally include lines of credit and term loan facilities with financial institutions to be utilized for general operating purposes.

In April 2023, we entered into a new one-year $59 million credit loan facility for general operating purposes. The loan bears interest at the average of 91-day CD interest rate plus 4.40%.

In September 2023, we modified our existing one-year term syndicated loan agreement and extended the maturity date to September 2024. The remaining $67 million outstanding bears interest at a rate of 5.56%.

Our long-term debt generally includes revolving credit facilities and various loan agreements for general operating purposes, and term loan facilities. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were $910 million and $667 million, respectively, of loans outstanding under these agreements, net of unamortized discounts.

In April 2023, we entered into a new three-year $171 million term loan facility agreement to finance the purchase of a fulfillment center and land. We pledged up to $205 million of certain land and buildings as collateral. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.76%.

Our 2021 revolving credit facility was amended in accordance with the agreement to provide for the replacement of the London Inter-bank offered rate (“LIBOR”) with an alternative benchmark rate. Effective July 1, 2023, the facility replaced the LIBOR rate with the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (“SOFR”). Borrowings under the 2021 revolving credit facility will bear interest, at our option, at a rate per annum equal to (i) a base rate equal to the highest of (A) the prime rate, (B) the higher of the federal funds rate or a composite overnight bank borrowing rate plus 0.50%, or (C) an adjusted Term SOFR rate for a one-month interest period plus 1.00% or (ii) an adjusted Term SOFR plus a margin equal to 1.00%. No borrowings have been made under the facility.

Our debt is recorded at amortized cost. The fair value is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on our current interest rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The carrying amount of debt approximates its fair value as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 due primarily to the interest rates approximating market interest rates.

We were in compliance with the covenants for each of our borrowings and debt agreements as of September 30, 2023.

From time to time, we may become party to claims, investigations, proceedings, and other litigation, in the ordinary course of business. We assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes with respect to these matters and determine loss contingency assessments on a gross basis after assessing the probability of incurrence of a loss and whether a loss is reasonably estimable. In addition, we consider other relevant factors that could impact our ability to reasonably estimate a loss. A determination of the amount of reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after analyzing each matter. Our reserves may change in the future due to new developments or changes in strategy in handling these matters. Although the results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we currently believe that the final outcome of currently pending legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors.

On June 28, 2021, the Korean Fair Trade Commission (“KFTC”) initiated an investigation into a potential violation of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act (the “Fair Trade Act”), including alleged preferential treatments of private labelled products provided by our subsidiary, Coupang Private Label Business. The KFTC is also investigating us on other matters related to the alleged violations of certain KFTC regulations. We are diligently cooperating with these investigations, and actively defending our practices as appropriate.

Under Korean law, the issues addressed in the investigations can be resolved through civil, administrative, or criminal proceedings. The ultimate case resolution could include fines, orders to alter our processes or procedures, and criminal investigations or charges against individuals or us. We cannot reasonably estimate any penalties, loss or range of loss that may arise from the various KFTC Investigations. Accordingly, we can provide no assurance as to the scope and outcome of these matters and no assurance as to whether our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows will not be materially adversely affected.

Coupang is one of the largest retailers in Asia, with a mission to revolutionize the everyday lives of its customers and create a world where people wonder, “How did we ever live without Coupang?” Coupang is headquartered in the United States, with operations and support services performed in markets including South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China, and India. We believe that we are a preeminent online destination because of our broad selection, low prices, and exceptional delivery and customer experience across our owned inventory selection as well as products offered by third-party merchants. Our unique end-to-end integrated fulfillment, logistics, and technology network enables Rocket Delivery, which provides free, next-day delivery for orders placed anytime of the day, even seconds before midnight—across millions of products. Our structural advantages from complete end-to-end integration, investments in technology, and scale economies generate higher efficiencies that allow us to pass savings to customers in the form of lower prices. The capabilities we have built provide us with opportunities to expand into other offerings and geographies.

Our segments reflect the way we evaluate our business performance and manage operations. See Note 3 — "Segment Reporting" to the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

As of the last date of each reported period, we determine our number of Active Customers by counting the total number of individual customers who have ordered at least once directly from our apps or websites in Korea during the relevant period. A customer is anyone who has created an account on our apps or websites, identified by a unique email address. The change in Active Customers in a reported period captures both the inflow of new customers as well as the outflow of existing customers who have not made a purchase in the period. We view the number of Active Customers as a key indicator of our potential for growth in total net revenues, the reach of our network, the awareness of our brand, and the engagement of our customers.

Net revenues per Active Customer is the total net revenues generated in a period divided by the total number of Active Customers in that period. A key driver of growth is increasing the frequency and the level of spend of Active Customers who are shopping on our apps or websites. We therefore view net revenues per Active Customer as a key indicator of engagement and retention of our customers and our success in increasing the share of wallet.

We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with additional useful information in evaluating our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as substitutes for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures.