Zscaler Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2018 Financial Results
- Revenue grows 49% year over year to $49.2 million
- Calculated billings grow 73% year over year to $54.7 million
- Deferred revenue grows 61% year over year to $124.8 million
- Raised $205.3 million in Initial Public Offering
SAN JOSE, Calif., June 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zscaler, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZS), a leader in cloud security, today announced financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2018.
"In our first quarter as a public company, we delivered very strong revenue and billings growth, as well as a solid year over year improvement in operating performance,” said Jay Chaudhry, Chairman and CEO of Zscaler. "Our results reflect the strength of our security cloud platform and the momentum we’re seeing as our customers embrace and accelerate their cloud transformation. We are also very pleased to generate positive free cash flow for the quarter. We have the opportunity to dramatically change the legacy security market and to significantly reduce the costs of networking and security infrastructure."
Third Quarter Fiscal 2018 Financial Highlights
- Total revenue was $49.2 million, an increase of 49% year-over-year.
- GAAP loss from operations was $9.0 million, or 18% of total revenue, compared to $7.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017, or 23% of total revenue. Non-GAAP loss from operations was $2.9 million, or 6% of total revenue, compared to $5.0 million of the third quarter of fiscal 2017, or 15% of total revenue.
- GAAP net loss was $8.8 million, compared to $7.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Non-GAAP net loss was $2.6 million, compared to $5.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017.
- GAAP net loss per share was $0.14, compared to $0.34 for the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Pro forma non-GAAP net loss per share was $0.02, compared to $0.05 for the third quarter of fiscal 2017.
- Net cash flow from operations was $8.1 million, compared to $0.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Free cash flow was $3.7 million, or 7% of total revenue, compared to negative $1.8 million, or 5% of total revenue, in the third quarter of fiscal 2017.
- Cash and cash equivalents were $287.4 million as of April 30, 2018.
Reconciliations between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures are provided in the tables of this press release.
Financial Outlook
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, we expect:
- Total revenue of $50.0 to $51.0 million
- Non-GAAP loss from operations of $6.0 to $7.0 million
- Pro forma non-GAAP net loss per share of $0.05 to $0.06 using shares outstanding of approximately 120.0 million
For the full fiscal 2018, we expect:
- Total revenue of $184.0 to $185.0 million
- Non-GAAP loss from operations of $19.0 to $20.0 million
- Pro forma non-GAAP net loss per share of $0.17 to $0.18 using shares outstanding of approximately 110.0 million
These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. Refer to the Forward-Looking Statements safe harbor below for information on the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.
Guidance for non-GAAP financial measures excludes stock-based compensation and significant litigation-related expenses. We have not reconciled our expectations as to non-GAAP loss from operations and pro forma non-GAAP net loss per share to their most directly comparable GAAP measure because certain items are out of our control or cannot be reasonably predicted. Accordingly, a reconciliation for non-GAAP loss from operations and pro forma non-GAAP net loss per share is not available without unreasonable effort.
Conference Call Information
Zscaler will host a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss its third quarter fiscal 2018 earnings results and outlook for its fourth quarter fiscal 2018 today at 1:30 p.m., Pacific time (4:30 p.m. Eastern time).
| Date: | Wednesday, June 6 |
| Time: | 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 p.m. ET) |
| Webcast: | https://ir.zscaler.com/ |
| Dial-in number: | (323) 794-2094 or (800) 263-0877, conference ID: 8313258 |
A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible from the Zscaler website at ir.zscaler.com. Listeners may log on to the call under the "Events & Presentations" section and select "Q3 2018 Zscaler Earnings Conference Call" to participate. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available at approximately 4:30 p.m. PT, June 6 through June 8, 2018 by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 and entering the passcode 8313258.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding our future financial and operating performance, including our financial outlook for the fourth fiscal quarter and full fiscal year 2018. There are a significant number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release, including: our limited operating history; our ability to identify and effectively implement the necessary changes to address execution challenges; risks associated with managing our rapid growth; our limited experience with new product and subscription and support introductions and the risks associated with new products and subscription and support offerings, including the discovery of software bugs; our ability to attract and retain new customers; the failure to timely develop and achieve market acceptance of new products and subscriptions as well as existing products and subscription and support; rapidly evolving technological developments in the market for network security products and subscription and support offerings; length of sales cycles; and general market, political, economic and business conditions.
Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect our financial results are included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our final prospectus dated March 15, 2018, as filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (File No. 333-223072), which is available on our website at ir.zscaler.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of such uncertainties. Additional information will also be set forth in other filings that we make with the SEC from time to time. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
Zscaler believes that the presentation of non-GAAP financial information provides important supplemental information to management and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. For further information regarding why Zscaler believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors, the specific manner in which management uses these measures, and some of the limitations associated with the use of these measures, please refer to the “Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Key Metrics” section of this press release.
About Zscaler
Zscaler™ enables the world’s leading organizations to securely transform their networks and applications for a mobile and cloud-first world. Its flagship services, Zscaler Internet Access™ and Zscaler Private Access™, create fast, secure connections between users and applications, regardless of device, location, or network. Zscaler services are 100 percent cloud-delivered and offer the simplicity, enhanced security and improved user experience that traditional appliances are unable to match. Used in more than 185 countries, Zscaler operates a multi-tenant distributed cloud security platform, protecting thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss. Learn more at zscaler.com or follow us on Twitter @zscaler.
Zscaler, Zscaler Internet Access and Zscaler Private Access are registered trademarks of Zscaler, Inc.
Investor Relations Contact:Bill Choi, CFAVice President, Investor Relations(669) 255-0767[email protected]
Media Relations Contact:Angel BadagliaccoManager, PR(408) 313-5358[email protected]
| Zscaler, Inc. | |||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended April 30, | Nine Months Ended April 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 49,163 | $ | 32,964 | $ | 134,000 | $ | 89,173 | |||||||
| Cost of revenue(1) | 9,424 | 6,997 | 26,374 | 19,438 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 39,739 | 25,967 | 107,626 | 69,735 | |||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing(1) | 29,892 | 20,689 | 83,930 | 55,601 | |||||||||||
| Research and development(1) | 9,907 | 7,778 | 27,899 | 24,952 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative(1) | 8,964 | 5,061 | 22,497 | 11,201 | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 48,763 | 33,528 | 134,326 | 91,754 | |||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (9,024 | ) | (7,561 | ) | (26,700 | ) | (22,019 | ) | |||||||
| Other income, net | 610 | 183 | 1,019 | 379 | |||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (8,414 | ) | (7,378 | ) | (25,681 | ) | (21,640 | ) | |||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 357 | 184 | 1,003 | 551 | |||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (8,771 | ) | $ | (7,562 | ) | $ | (26,684 | ) | $ | (22,191 | ) | |||
| Accretion of Series C and D redeemable convertible | |||||||||||||||
| preferred stock | (1,223 | ) | (2,355 | ) | (6,332 | ) | (7,088 | ) | |||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (9,994 | ) | $ | (9,917 | ) | $ | (33,016 | ) | $ | (29,279 | ) | |||
| Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, | |||||||||||||||
| basic and diluted | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.34 | ) | $ | (0.73 | ) | $ | (1.01 | ) | |||
| Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per | |||||||||||||||
| share attributable to common stockholders, basic and | |||||||||||||||
| diluted | 73,818 | 29,583 | 45,047 | 28,875 | |||||||||||
_____
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows:
| Three Months Ended April 30, | Nine Months Ended April 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue | $ | 199 | $ | 106 | $ | 434 | $ | 245 | |||||||
| Sales and marketing | 1,493 | 762 | 3,263 | 1,998 | |||||||||||
| Research and development | 960 | 306 | 1,852 | 5,231 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative | 657 | 412 | 1,557 | 862 | |||||||||||
| Total stock-based compensation expense | $ | 3,309 | $ | 1,586 | $ | 7,106 | $ | 8,336 | |||||||
| Zscaler, Inc. | |||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| April 30, 2018 | July 31, 2017 | ||||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 287,443 | $ | 87,978 | |||
| Accounts receivable, net | 40,215 | 39,052 | |||||
| Deferred contract acquisition costs | 13,753 | 10,469 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 9,036 | 5,410 | |||||
| Total current assets | 350,447 | 142,909 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 20,441 | 13,139 | |||||
| Deferred contract acquisition costs, noncurrent | 32,755 | 24,193 | |||||
| Other noncurrent assets | 1,895 | 2,661 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 405,538 | $ | 182,902 | |||
| Liabilities, Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 4,944 | $ | 3,763 | |||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 13,767 | 11,648 | |||||
| Accrued compensation | 14,820 | 11,608 | |||||
| Liability for early exercise of unvested stock options | 2,625 | 7,972 | |||||
| Deferred revenue | 111,035 | 85,468 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 147,191 | 120,459 | |||||
| Deferred revenue, noncurrent | 13,771 | 11,151 | |||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | 1,384 | 1,457 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 162,346 | 133,067 | |||||
| Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock | — | 200,977 | |||||
| Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) | |||||||
| Preferred stock | — | — | |||||
| Common stock | 119 | 18 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 434,250 | 18,734 | |||||
| Notes receivable from stockholders | (2,039 | ) | (7,878 | ) | |||
| Accumulated deficit | (189,138 | ) | (162,016 | ) | |||
| Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) | 243,192 | (151,142 | ) | ||||
| Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity (deficit) | $ | 405,538 | $ | 182,902 | |||
| Zscaler, Inc. | |||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | |||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Nine Months Ended April 30, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities | |||||||
| Net loss | $ | (26,684 | ) | $ | (22,191 | ) | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 5,842 | 5,007 | |||||
| Amortization of deferred contract acquisition costs | 9,354 | 5,992 | |||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 7,106 | 8,336 | |||||
| Other | 278 | (46 | ) | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts receivable | (1,161 | ) | 255 | ||||
| Deferred contract acquisition costs | (21,200 | ) | (11,660 | ) | |||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | (3,341 | ) | (1,438 | ) | |||
| Accounts payable | (1,620 | ) | 138 | ||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 2,676 | 1,133 | |||||
| Accrued compensation | 3,212 | 336 | |||||
| Deferred revenue | 28,187 | 11,827 | |||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 2,649 | (2,311 | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities | |||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (11,008 | ) | (6,291 | ) | |||
| Capitalized internal-use software | (1,424 | ) | (146 | ) | |||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (12,432 | ) | (6,437 | ) | |||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities | |||||||
| Proceeds from initial public offering, net of underwriting discounts and commissions | 205,344 | — | |||||
| Payments of costs related to initial public offering | (3,566 | ) | — | ||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options | 4,345 | 1,415 | |||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock related to early exercised stock options | 869 | — | |||||
| Repurchases of unvested common stock | (3,090 | ) | — | ||||
| Repayments of notes receivable from stockholders | 5,346 | 1,856 | |||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 209,248 | 3,271 | |||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 199,465 | (5,477 | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 87,978 | 92,842 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 287,443 | $ | 87,365 | |||
| Zscaler, Inc. | |||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per percentage data) | |||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended April 30, | Nine Months Ended April 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 49,163 | $ | 32,964 | $ | 134,000 | $ | 89,173 | |||||||
| Non-GAAP Gross Profit and Non-GAAP Gross Margin | |||||||||||||||
| Gross Profit | $ | 39,739 | $ | 25,967 | $ | 107,626 | $ | 69,735 | |||||||
| Add: Share-based compensation expense included in cost of revenue | 199 | 106 | 434 | 245 | |||||||||||
| Non-GAAP gross profit | $ | 39,938 | $ | 26,073 | $ | 108,060 | $ | 69,980 | |||||||
| Gross margin | 81 | % | 79 | % | 80 | % | 78 | % | |||||||
| Non-GAAP gross margin | 81 | % | 79 | % | 81 | % | 78 | % | |||||||
| Non-GAAP Loss from Operations and Non-GAAP Operating Margin | |||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | $ | (9,024 | ) | $ | (7,561 | ) | $ | (26,700 | ) | $ | (22,019 | ) | |||
| Add: | |||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 3,309 | 1,586 | 7,106 | 8,336 | |||||||||||
| Litigation-related expenses | 2,836 | 1,006 | 6,612 | 1,526 | |||||||||||
| Non-GAAP loss from operations | $ | (2,879 | ) | $ | (4,969 | ) | $ | (12,982 | ) | $ | (12,157 | ) | |||
| Operating margin | (18 | )% | (23 | )% | (20 | )% | (25 | )% | |||||||
| Non-GAAP operating margin | (6 | )% | (15 | )% | (10 | )% | (14 | )% | |||||||
| Zscaler, Inc. | |||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended April 30, | Nine Months Ended April 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP net loss per share attributable to common stockholders | |||||||||||||||
| GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (9,994 | ) | $ | (9,917 | ) | $ | (33,016 | ) | $ | (29,279 | ) | |||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 3,309 | 1,586 | 7,106 | 8,336 | |||||||||||
| Litigation-related expenses | 2,836 | 1,006 | 6,612 | 1,526 | |||||||||||
| Accretion of Series C and D redeemable convertible preferred stock | 1,223 | 2,355 | 6,332 | 7,088 | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense effects(1) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| Non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (2,626 | ) | $ | (4,970 | ) | $ | (12,966 | ) | $ | (12,329 | ) | |||
| GAAP net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.34 | ) | $ | (0.73 | ) | $ | (1.01 | ) | |||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.16 | 0.29 | |||||||||||
| Litigation-related expenses | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.15 | 0.05 | |||||||||||
| Accretion of Series C and D redeemable convertible preferred stock | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.14 | 0.25 | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense effects(1) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| Non-GAAP net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, | |||||||||||||||
| basic and diluted(2) | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.17 | ) | $ | (0.29 | ) | $ | (0.43 | ) | |||
| Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share | |||||||||||||||
| attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted | 73,818 | 29,583 | 45,047 | 28,875 | |||||||||||
___________
| (1) | We do not include the effects of income taxes on non-GAAP items due to our continued history of non-GAAP losses and full valuation allowance. | |
| (2) | The sum of the non-GAAP per share attributable to common stockholders of individual line items excluded from our non-GAAP net loss may not total to the non-GAAP net loss per share attributable to common stockholders due to rounding. | |
| Zscaler, Inc. | |||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended April 30, | Nine Months Ended April 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||
| Pro Forma Non-GAAP net Loss per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders | |||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | |||||||||||||||
| GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (9,994 | ) | $ | (9,917 | ) | $ | (33,016 | ) | $ | (29,279 | ) | |||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 3,309 | 1,586 | 7,106 | 8,336 | |||||||||||
| Litigation-related expenses | 2,836 | 1,006 | 6,612 | 1,526 | |||||||||||
| Accretion of Series C and D redeemable convertible preferred stock | 1,223 | 2,355 | 6,332 | 7,088 | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense effects (1) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| Non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (2,626 | ) | $ | (4,970 | ) | $ | (12,966 | ) | $ | (12,329 | ) | |||
| Denominator: | |||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted(2) | 73,818 | 29,583 | 45,047 | 28,875 | |||||||||||
| Pro forma adjustment to reflect assumed conversion of our convertible preferred stock as of the beginning of the period (2) | 38,287 | 72,501 | 61,347 | 72,501 | |||||||||||
| Weighted-average shares used in computing pro forma non-GAAP net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted | 112,105 | 102,084 | 106,394 | 101,376 | |||||||||||
| Pro forma non-GAAP net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted (2) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | |||
___________
| (1) | We do not include the effects of income taxes on non-GAAP items due to our continued history of non-GAAP losses and full valuation allowance. | |
| (2) | We define pro forma non-GAAP net loss per share attributable to common stockholders as the weighted-average shares used in computing the net loss per share attributable to common stockholders plus a pro forma adjustment to give effect to the automatic conversion of our redeemable convertible preferred stock into 72,500,750 shares of common stock as though the conversion had occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented. Upon the closing of our initial public offering on March 20, 2018, all our outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock automatically converted into 72,500,750 shares of common stock on a one-to-one basis. | |
| Zscaler, Inc. | |||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentage data) | |||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended April 30, | Nine Months Ended April 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||
| Calculated Billings | |||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 49,163 | $ | 32,964 | $ | 134,000 | $ | 89,173 | |||||||
| Add: Total deferred revenue, end of period | 124,806 | 77,740 | 124,806 | 77,740 | |||||||||||
| Less: Total deferred revenue, beginning of period | (119,257 | ) | (79,091 | ) | (96,619 | ) | (65,913 | ) | |||||||
| Calculated billings | $ | 54,712 | $ | 31,613 | $ | 162,187 | $ | 101,000 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended April 30, | Nine Months Ended April 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||
| Free Cash Flow | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 8,117 | $ | 243 | $ | 2,649 | $ | (2,311 | ) | ||||||
| Less: Purchases of property and equipment | (3,963 | ) | (1,878 | ) | (11,008 | ) | (6,291 | ) | |||||||
| Less: Capitalized internal-use software | (474 | ) | (146 | ) | (1,424 | ) | (146 | ) | |||||||
| Free cash flow | $ | 3,680 | $ | (1,781 | ) | $ | (9,783 | ) | $ | (8,748 | ) | ||||
| As a percentage of revenue: | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 16 | % | 1 | % | 2 | % | (3 | )% | |||||||
| Less: Purchases of property and equipment | (8 | )% | (6 | )% | (8 | )% | (7 | )% | |||||||
| Less: Capitalized internal-use software | (1 | )% | — | % | (1 | )% | — | % | |||||||
| Free cash flow margin | 7 | % | (5 | )% | (7 | )% | (10 | )% | |||||||
Zscaler, Inc.Third Quarter Fiscal 2018 Financial ResultsExplanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Key Metrics
In addition to our results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we believe the following non-GAAP measures are useful in evaluating our operating performance. We use the following non-GAAP financial information to evaluate our ongoing operations and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. We believe that non-GAAP financial information, when taken collectively, may be helpful to investors because it provides consistency and comparability with past financial performance. However, non-GAAP financial information is presented for supplemental informational purposes only, has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In particular, free cash flow is not a substitute for cash used in operating activities. Additionally, the utility of free cash flow as a measure of our liquidity is further limited as it does not represent the total increase or decrease in our cash balance for a given period. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate similarly-titled non-GAAP measures differently or may use other measures to evaluate their performance, all of which could reduce the usefulness of our non-GAAP financial measures as tools for comparison. A reconciliation of the company’s historical non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable financial measure stated in accordance with U.S. GAAP has been provided in the financial statement tables included in this press release. Investors are cautioned that there are a number of limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures and key metrics as analytical tools. Investors are encouraged to review these reconciliations, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.
Non-GAAP Gross Profit and Non-GAAP Gross Margin. We define non-GAAP gross profit as GAAP gross profit excluding stock-based compensation expense. We define non-GAAP gross margin as non-GAAP gross profit as a percentage of revenue.
Non-GAAP Loss from Operations and Non-GAAP Operating Margin. We define non-GAAP loss from operations and non-GAAP operating margin as GAAP loss from operations and GAAP operating margin, respectively, excluding stock-based compensation expense and certain litigation-related expenses. These excluded litigation-related expenses are professional fees and related costs incurred by us in defending against significant claims that we deem not to be in the ordinary course of our business and, if applicable, accruals related to estimated losses in connection with these claims. There are many uncertainties and potential outcomes associated with any litigation, including the expense of litigation, timing of such expenses, court rulings, unforeseen developments, complications and delays, each of which may affect our results of operations from period to period, as well as the unknown magnitude of the potential loss relating to any lawsuit, all of which are inherently subject to change, difficult to estimate and could adversely affect our results of operations.
Non-GAAP Net Loss and Non-GAAP Net Loss per Share, Diluted. We define non-GAAP net loss as GAAP net loss plus stock-based compensation, litigation-related expenses and accretion of Series C and Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock. We do not include the effects of income taxes on non-GAAP items due to our continued history of non-GAAP losses and full valuation allowance. We define non-GAAP net loss per share, diluted, as non-GAAP net loss divided by the weighted-average diluted shares outstanding, which includes the dilutive effect of potentially diluted common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Since we have reported net losses for all periods presented, we have excluded all potentially dilutive securities from the calculation of the diluted net loss per share as their effect is antidilutive and accordingly, basic and diluted net loss per share is the same for all periods presented. We believe that excluding these items from non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share, diluted, provides management and investors with greater visibility into the underlying performance of our core business operating results.
Pro Forma Non-GAAP Net Loss per Share, Diluted. We define pro forma non-GAAP net loss per share, diluted, as the weighted-average shares used in computing the GAAP net loss per share, diluted, plus a pro forma adjustment to give effect to the automatic conversion of our redeemable convertible preferred stock into 72,500,750 shares of common stock as though the conversion had occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented. Upon the closing of our initial public offering on March 20, 2018, all our outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock automatically converted into 72,500,750 shares of common stock on a one-to-one basis. We believe that giving effect to the conversion of our redeemable convertible preferred stock as though the conversion had occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented is necessary to provide meaningful comparison between periods.
Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Margin. We define free cash flow as net cash used in operating activities less purchases of property and equipment and capitalized internal-use software. We define free cash flow margin as free cash flow divided by revenue. We believe that free cash flow and free cash flow margin are useful indicators of liquidity that provide information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated from our operations that, after the investments in property and equipment and capitalized internal-use software, can be used for strategic initiatives, including investing in our business and strengthening our financial position.
Calculated Billings. We define calculated billings as total revenue plus the change in deferred revenue in a period. Calculated billings in any particular period aims to reflect amounts invoiced for subscriptions to access our cloud platform, together with related support services related to our new and existing customers. We typically invoice our customers annually in advance, and to a lesser extent quarterly in advance, monthly in advance or multi-year in advance.