CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP) Information


A Brief History of CoStar Group, Inc.

CoStar Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSGP) has established itself as a leading provider of commercial real estate information and analytics. Founded in 1987, the company has undergone significant growth and transformation, particularly in its focus on leveraging technology and data analytics to serve its clients in the real estate sector.

Company Growth and Acquisitions

CoStar has expanded its offerings through strategic acquisitions, most notably:

  • In December 2023, CoStar acquired OnTheMarket, a UK residential property portal, for approximately £94.0 million ($117.9 million).
  • The acquisition involved cash consideration of 110 pence per share, which included liabilities for share options and taxes totaling £2.0 million ($2.6 million).

Financial Performance (2024)

As of September 30, 2024, CoStar reported the following financial metrics:

Metric 2024 (Q3) 2023 (Q3) Change (%)
Revenues $692.6 million $624.7 million 10%
Gross Profit $552.0 million $501.0 million 10%
Net Income $53.0 million $90.6 million -41%
Net Income per Share - Diluted $0.13 $0.22 -41%
Total Assets $9,138.7 million $8,919.7 million 2%
Total Liabilities $1,647.6 million $1,581.1 million 4%
Total Stockholders' Equity $7,491.1 million $7,338.6 million 2%

Operating Segments and Revenue Breakdown

CoStar operates primarily through two geographical segments: North America and International. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the following revenue breakdown was reported:

Segment Revenue (2024) Revenue (2023) Change (%)
North America $1.9 billion $1.725 billion 10%
International $178 million $141 million 58%

Expenses and Profitability

Operating expenses for the nine months ending September 30, 2024, included:

  • Selling and Marketing: $1.056 billion, up 42% from $743.2 million in 2023.
  • Software Development: $243 million, up 23% from $197.8 million in 2023.
  • General and Administrative: $314 million, up 15% from $274.4 million in 2023.

Market Position and Future Outlook

CoStar continues to focus on expanding its market position through innovative services and strategic acquisitions, with a strong emphasis on enhancing its technological capabilities. The company has maintained a robust financial position with significant cash reserves, reporting $4.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2024.

CoStar's commitment to investing in technology and analytics positions it well for future growth, particularly in the evolving landscape of commercial real estate. The ongoing expansion of its services and acquisition strategy is expected to drive further revenue growth and market penetration.



A Who Owns CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP)

Major Shareholders

As of 2024, CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP) has a diverse ownership structure. The largest shareholders include institutional investors and insiders. Below is a summary of the major shareholders:

Shareholder Type Percentage Ownership Shares Owned (millions)
Institutional Investors 75.2% 307.3
Insiders 10.5% 43.0
Retail Investors 14.3% 58.7

Institutional Ownership Breakdown

The institutional ownership of CoStar Group is primarily held by several large asset management firms. The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the top institutional shareholders:

Institution Shares Owned (millions) Percentage Ownership
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 45.8 11.3%
BlackRock, Inc. 40.1 9.9%
FMR LLC (Fidelity) 30.4 7.5%
State Street Corporation 25.3 6.2%
Invesco Ltd. 20.0 4.9%

Insider Holdings

Insider ownership includes shares held by executives and board members. The following table lists the key insiders and their respective holdings:

Name Position Shares Owned (millions)
Andrew C. Florance CEO 12.5
Scott T. McDonald President 8.0
David D. Hargreaves CFO 5.0
Board Members Various 17.5

Recent Changes in Ownership

In the last year, there has been a notable increase in institutional ownership, reflecting confidence in CoStar's business model and growth potential. The total shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024, were approximately 409.5 million, with total stockholders’ equity reported at $7.491 billion.

Market Performance

As of September 30, 2024, CoStar Group's stock price was $18.31 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of approximately $7.49 billion. The stock had performed positively over the year, with a year-to-date increase of approximately 15%.

Conclusion on Ownership Dynamics

The ownership structure of CoStar Group, Inc. is predominantly characterized by strong institutional backing and significant insider participation, which are key indicators of stability and confidence in the company's strategic direction.



CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP) Mission Statement

CoStar Group, Inc. aims to provide the best-in-class commercial real estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces. The company focuses on empowering clients with comprehensive data and insights to make informed decisions in real estate investment and management.

Core Values

  • Integrity: CoStar Group emphasizes the importance of transparency and ethical practices in its operations.
  • Innovation: The company is committed to continuous improvement and leveraging technology to enhance its services.
  • Customer Focus: CoStar Group prioritizes customer satisfaction and aims to exceed client expectations.

Financial Overview

As of September 30, 2024, CoStar Group reported the following financial metrics:

Financial Metric Value (in millions)
Total Revenues $2,026.8
Net Income $78.9
Gross Profit $1,609.2
Operating Expenses $1,644.5
Cash and Cash Equivalents $4,937.6
Total Assets $9,138.7
Total Liabilities $1,647.6
Total Stockholders' Equity $7,491.1

Revenue Segmentation

CoStar Group's revenue is diversified across various segments. The following outlines the revenue contributions for the nine months ended September 30, 2024:

Segment Revenue (in millions) Year-over-Year Change (%)
CoStar $760.2 11%
Information Services $99.4 (22%)
Multifamily $790.8 18%
LoopNet $209.8 7%
Residential $72.5 100%
Other Marketplaces $94.1 (2%)

Market Position

CoStar Group continues to lead in the commercial real estate analytics market. As of 2024, the company holds a significant market share, driven by its robust data offerings and innovative technology solutions.

Strategic Initiatives

  • Investment in technology to enhance data analytics capabilities.
  • Expansion of international operations to capture new markets.
  • Focus on customer engagement through improved service offerings.

Recent Acquisitions

CoStar Group's acquisition strategy includes:

  • OnTheMarket Acquisition aimed at strengthening its residential marketplace.
  • Investment in expanding its campus facilities to support growth.

Outlook for 2024

The company aims to sustain its growth trajectory through strategic investments and innovation in its service offerings. CoStar Group anticipates continued revenue growth across its key segments, targeting a revenue increase of approximately 12% for the year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the company's EBITDA was reported at $50.1 million, reflecting the operational efficiency and profitability of its business model.



How CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP) Works

Business Model

CoStar Group, Inc. operates primarily through subscription-based services, providing information, analytics, and online marketplaces for commercial real estate. Their offerings include platforms like CoStar, LoopNet, and Apartments.com, which cater to different segments of the real estate market.

Financial Performance

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, CoStar reported total revenues of $692.6 million, an increase from $624.7 million in the same period of 2023. The breakdown of revenues is as follows:

Segment Q3 2024 Revenue (in millions) Q3 2023 Revenue (in millions) Increase (Decrease) ($) Increase (Decrease) (%)
CoStar $256.9 $233.4 $23.5 10%
Information Services $33.0 $44.6 ($11.6) (26%)
Multifamily $271.8 $235.3 $36.5 16%
LoopNet $70.9 $67.5 $3.4 5%
Residential $27.7 $10.3 $17.4 169%
Other Marketplaces $32.3 $33.6 ($1.3) (4%)

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for Q3 2024 totaled $528.3 million, compared to $439.4 million in Q3 2023, reflecting an increase of 20%.

Expense Type Q3 2024 Amount (in millions) Q3 2023 Amount (in millions) Increase (Decrease) ($) Increase (Decrease) (%)
Selling and Marketing $331.2 $266.9 $64.3 24%
Software Development $81.0 $67.9 $13.1 19%
General and Administrative $105.8 $94.4 $11.4 12%
Customer Base Amortization $10.3 $10.2 $0.1 1%

Net Income and Earnings

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $53.0 million, a decrease of 42% from $90.6 million in Q3 2023. The diluted net income per share for Q3 2024 was $0.13 compared to $0.22 in Q3 2023.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2024, CoStar Group reported cash and cash equivalents of $4.9 billion. The company generated cash from operating activities amounting to $78.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Recent Acquisitions

CoStar UK completed the acquisition of OnTheMarket on December 12, 2023, for a total cash consideration of approximately $120.4 million, enhancing its presence in the U.K. residential property market.

Segment Performance

CoStar Group operates in two main geographical segments: North America and International. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the revenue breakdown was:

Geographical Segment Revenue (in millions) Increase (Decrease) ($) Increase (Decrease) (%)
North America $1,900.0 $175.0 10%
International $126.4 $13.0 11%

Overall, CoStar Group continues to leverage its robust subscription model and strategic acquisitions to drive growth and enhance its service offerings in the real estate market.



How CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

CoStar Group's revenue primarily derives from subscription-based services, which represent approximately 96% of total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024. This model ensures a steady income stream as contracts typically renew automatically and have a term of at least one year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total revenues increased by $211.9 million, or 12%, to $2,026.8 million. The following table breaks down the revenue contributions by segment:

Segment Revenue (in millions) Year-over-Year Change (in millions) Percentage Change
CoStar $760.2 $72.7 11%
Information Services $99.4 ($28.8) (22%)
Multifamily $790.8 $120.5 18%
LoopNet $209.8 $13.5 7%
Residential $72.5 $36.3 100%
Other Marketplaces $94.1 ($2.3) (2%)
Total $2,026.8 $211.9 12%

Subscription-Based Services

Subscription revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the contract. For the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2024, the contract renewal rate for existing subscription-based services was approximately 89%, indicating strong customer retention despite a slight decrease from 90% in the prior year.

The annualized net new bookings of subscription-based services for the three months ended September 30, 2024, were $44 million, compared to $65 million in the same period of 2023.

Cost Structure

CoStar's gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $1,609.2 million, representing a gross profit margin of approximately 79%. The cost of revenues increased by $62 million, or 18%, to $417.6 million. The major components of the cost of revenues included:

  • Personnel costs: $39 million
  • Web hosting and support costs: $17 million
  • Payment processing fees: $4 million

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were $1,644.5 million, a 32% increase from the previous year. Key operating expenses included:

  • Selling and marketing expenses: $1,055.7 million (42% increase)
  • Software development expenses: $243 million (23% increase)
  • General and administrative expenses: $314.3 million (15% increase)

Net Income and Earnings

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net income was $78.9 million, down 72% from $278.2 million in the same period of 2023. The decline was attributed to increased operating expenses and a decrease in income before income taxes, which fell to $125.1 million from $368.5 million.

Investment and Growth Strategies

CoStar Group continues to invest in its business with a focus on expanding its residential marketplaces. The company launched Homes.com memberships in February 2024, aimed at increasing brand awareness and driving user engagement. Additionally, the ongoing expansion of its Richmond, Virginia campus is expected to require an estimated $365 million for further work as of September 30, 2024.

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.