Ziff Davis Reports Modest Growth Amid UBS Target Price Cut
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 03 2024
0mins
Source: Benzinga
Ziff Davis Inc. shares surged 59.84% and reached a 52-week high despite UBS lowering its target price from $38 to $30.
The target price adjustment by UBS reflects changes in market conditions and expectations for Ziff Davis's performance, indicating a cautious outlook. However, Ziff Davis reported $1.451 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2025, with adjusted EBITDA of $495.1 million, showcasing stability across its diversified business segments. The company also repurchased approximately 4.8 million shares, reflecting strong confidence in its stock.
Despite the challenges in the Tech & Shopping segment, which saw an 18% revenue decline, the Gaming & Entertainment segment achieved growth, and management anticipates improvements in the second half of 2026. This mixed performance highlights the company's resilience and strategic focus.
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Analyst Views on ZD
Wall Street analysts forecast ZD stock price to fall
4 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 44.320
Low
34.00
Averages
39.25
High
50.00
Current: 44.320
Low
34.00
Averages
39.25
High
50.00
About ZD
Ziff Davis, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is a vertically focused digital media and Internet company whose portfolio includes brands in technology, shopping, gaming and entertainment, health and wellness, cybersecurity, and Martech. Its segments include Technology & Shopping, Gaming & Entertainment, Health & Wellness, and Cybersecurity & Martech. The Technology & Shopping segment offers advertising on publishing platforms and commerce sites and publishing of specialized technology-based content. The Gaming & Entertainment segment provides authoritative content relating to video games and entertainment. The Health & Wellness segment includes a collection of interactive tools and mobile applications that are designed to enable consumers to manage a range of health and wellness needs on a daily basis. The Cybersecurity & Martech segment provides cloud-based software-as-a-service offerings for various communication, messaging, customer marketing, and other needs of end-users.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Ziff Davis Executive's Share Sale Raises Investor Interest
- Transaction Overview: Ziff Davis Executive Vice President Jeremy Rossen sold 4,347 shares on May 28, 2026, for approximately $199,000, indicating a strategic capitalizing on elevated stock prices during a favorable market period.
- Holding Proportion Analysis: This sale accounted for 17.8% of Rossen's combined direct and indirect holdings, suggesting he retains 22,462 shares directly, maintaining significant exposure to the company.
- Company Financial Performance: Ziff Davis reported first-quarter revenue of $267.6 million for 2026, reflecting a 2% year-over-year decline, alongside a net loss of $0.8 million, highlighting challenges in returning to growth.
- Market Reaction and Strategy: The timing of Rossen's sale coincided with the company's announcement of a $1.2 billion sale of its connectivity division, which had previously driven the stock to a 52-week high of $50.55, indicating investor interest in the company's strategic direction.
See More
Rossen Sells Ziff Davis Shares Amid Stock Surge
- Share Sale Details: On May 28, 2026, Rossen sold 4,347 shares of Ziff Davis for approximately $199,000 at $45.75 per share, representing 15.09% of his direct holdings, indicating his responsiveness to market conditions.
- Holding Structure Analysis: After the sale, Rossen retains 24,462 shares in Ziff Davis, with 2,000 shares held indirectly through a family trust, suggesting a continued optimistic outlook on the company's future without an immediate rush to liquidate.
- Company Financial Performance: Ziff Davis reported first-quarter revenue of $267.6 million, a 2% year-over-year decline, alongside a net loss of $0.8 million, indicating challenges in growth, prompting the company to engage external advisors to strategize for recovery.
- Market Reaction and Outlook: Although Rossen's share sale raised eyebrows, his retention of over 22,000 shares and the stock's position at a 52-week high during the sale led to a relatively calm market response, alleviating investor concerns about the transaction.
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- Consumer Insights: Recent data indicates that 28% of women plan to purchase capris this summer, highlighting this style as a standout trend, particularly among millennial women, half of whom prefer capris over shorts.
- Selection Incentives: The chosen Chief Capri Officer will receive a $5,000 shopping stipend to demonstrate how capris fit into everyday summer wardrobes, showcasing how consumers discover and apply fashion trends in real life.
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RetailMeNot Launches First Chief Capri Officer Search
- Summer Event Launch: RetailMeNot's Summer Issue runs from June 4-8, featuring stackable deals and shopping inspiration aimed at helping consumers save on summer essentials, which is expected to attract significant consumer participation and enhance brand visibility.
- Fashion Trend Survey: New data reveals that 28% of women plan to purchase capris this summer, indicating a resurgence of this Y2K style and reflecting consumers' preference for more polished, versatile styles, potentially driving sales growth for related products.
- Chief Capri Officer Initiative: RetailMeNot will select one Chief Capri Officer who will receive a $5,000 shopping stipend to showcase how capris fit into summer wardrobes, aiming to enhance brand engagement and consumer participation through user-generated content.
- Shift in Consumer Behavior: The survey indicates that 50% of millennial women believe capris are more appropriate than shorts for casual occasions, suggesting a trend towards practical yet stylish summer attire, which may influence future product designs and market strategies.
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- Increased Holdings: Pale Fire Capital disclosed the purchase of 1,573,414 shares of Ziff Davis in its SEC filing dated May 14, 2026, with an estimated trade value of $57.86 million, indicating strong confidence in the company.
- Ownership Stake Growth: Following this acquisition, Pale Fire Capital's stake in Ziff Davis now stands at 10.26%, reflecting its significant emphasis on this investment within its portfolio.
- Financial Performance: Ziff Davis reported a 1.9% year-over-year decline in revenue to $267.6 million, with adjusted EBITDA dropping from $71.4 million to $63.4 million, yet its diversified revenue streams from health, gaming, and cybersecurity continue to provide stable cash flow.
- Market Challenges: Ziff Davis faces ongoing pressures in technology and shopping sectors, and investors should monitor its profitability post-Connectivity division, as the stability of its health, gaming, and cybersecurity segments will be crucial for future growth.
See More
Ziff Davis Executive's Share Sale Raises Investor Interest
- Transaction Overview: Ziff Davis Executive Vice President Jeremy Rossen sold 4,347 shares on May 28, 2026, for approximately $199,000, indicating a strategic capitalizing on elevated stock prices during a favorable market period.
- Holding Proportion Analysis: This sale accounted for 17.8% of Rossen's combined direct and indirect holdings, suggesting he retains 22,462 shares directly, maintaining significant exposure to the company.
- Company Financial Performance: Ziff Davis reported first-quarter revenue of $267.6 million for 2026, reflecting a 2% year-over-year decline, alongside a net loss of $0.8 million, highlighting challenges in returning to growth.
- Market Reaction and Strategy: The timing of Rossen's sale coincided with the company's announcement of a $1.2 billion sale of its connectivity division, which had previously driven the stock to a 52-week high of $50.55, indicating investor interest in the company's strategic direction.
See More
Rossen Sells Ziff Davis Shares Amid Stock Surge
- Share Sale Details: On May 28, 2026, Rossen sold 4,347 shares of Ziff Davis for approximately $199,000 at $45.75 per share, representing 15.09% of his direct holdings, indicating his responsiveness to market conditions.
- Holding Structure Analysis: After the sale, Rossen retains 24,462 shares in Ziff Davis, with 2,000 shares held indirectly through a family trust, suggesting a continued optimistic outlook on the company's future without an immediate rush to liquidate.
- Company Financial Performance: Ziff Davis reported first-quarter revenue of $267.6 million, a 2% year-over-year decline, alongside a net loss of $0.8 million, indicating challenges in growth, prompting the company to engage external advisors to strategize for recovery.
- Market Reaction and Outlook: Although Rossen's share sale raised eyebrows, his retention of over 22,000 shares and the stock's position at a 52-week high during the sale led to a relatively calm market response, alleviating investor concerns about the transaction.
See More
RetailMeNot Launches First Chief Capri Officer Search
- Chief Capri Officer Search: RetailMeNot has announced its inaugural Chief Capri Officer search, aimed at engaging consumers to showcase summer fashion trends, reflecting a shift towards more polished and practical styles.
- Summer Savings Event: This initiative is part of RetailMeNot's Summer Issue, running from June 4 to 8, designed to help consumers save on essential summer items through promo codes and cash back offers.
- Consumer Insights: Recent data indicates that 28% of women plan to purchase capris this summer, highlighting this style as a standout trend, particularly among millennial women, half of whom prefer capris over shorts.
- Selection Incentives: The chosen Chief Capri Officer will receive a $5,000 shopping stipend to demonstrate how capris fit into everyday summer wardrobes, showcasing how consumers discover and apply fashion trends in real life.
See More
RetailMeNot Launches First Chief Capri Officer Search
- Summer Event Launch: RetailMeNot's Summer Issue runs from June 4-8, featuring stackable deals and shopping inspiration aimed at helping consumers save on summer essentials, which is expected to attract significant consumer participation and enhance brand visibility.
- Fashion Trend Survey: New data reveals that 28% of women plan to purchase capris this summer, indicating a resurgence of this Y2K style and reflecting consumers' preference for more polished, versatile styles, potentially driving sales growth for related products.
- Chief Capri Officer Initiative: RetailMeNot will select one Chief Capri Officer who will receive a $5,000 shopping stipend to showcase how capris fit into summer wardrobes, aiming to enhance brand engagement and consumer participation through user-generated content.
- Shift in Consumer Behavior: The survey indicates that 50% of millennial women believe capris are more appropriate than shorts for casual occasions, suggesting a trend towards practical yet stylish summer attire, which may influence future product designs and market strategies.
See More
Red River Joins Speedtest Certified Partner Program as First North American Platinum Partner
- Partnership Announcement: Red River has joined Ookla's Speedtest Certified™ Authorized Partner program, becoming the first North American company to achieve Platinum partner status, which underscores its leadership in network performance validation.
- Certification Standards: As a Platinum partner, Red River is authorized to deliver the Speedtest Certified designation, ensuring customers receive independent, data-driven proof of network performance, thereby enhancing the credibility of infrastructure investments and user experiences.
- Assessment Tools: Red River's accredited Speedtest Certified Assessors will conduct on-site evaluations using professional-grade Wi-Fi tools from Ekahau®, assessing critical metrics such as download and upload speeds, latency, and jitter to ensure network quality meets industry standards.
- Market Impact: The Speedtest Certified program aims to provide reliable network measurement standards for critical industries, and Red River's involvement not only enhances its market competitiveness but also offers customers quantifiable business value, aiding their successful transformation in modern network environments.
See More
Pale Fire Capital Increases Ziff Davis Holdings Significantly
- Increased Holdings: Pale Fire Capital disclosed the purchase of 1,573,414 shares of Ziff Davis in its SEC filing dated May 14, 2026, with an estimated trade value of $57.86 million, indicating strong confidence in the company.
- Ownership Stake Growth: Following this acquisition, Pale Fire Capital's stake in Ziff Davis now stands at 10.26%, reflecting its significant emphasis on this investment within its portfolio.
- Financial Performance: Ziff Davis reported a 1.9% year-over-year decline in revenue to $267.6 million, with adjusted EBITDA dropping from $71.4 million to $63.4 million, yet its diversified revenue streams from health, gaming, and cybersecurity continue to provide stable cash flow.
- Market Challenges: Ziff Davis faces ongoing pressures in technology and shopping sectors, and investors should monitor its profitability post-Connectivity division, as the stability of its health, gaming, and cybersecurity segments will be crucial for future growth.
See More
