Ziff Davis Reports Modest Growth Amid UBS Target Price Cut
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 03 2024
0mins
Should l Buy ZD?
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: 40.620
Low
34.00
Averages
39.25
High
50.00
Current: 40.620
Low
34.00
Averages
39.25
High
50.00
About ZD
Ziff Davis, Inc. is a vertically focused digital media and Internet company. Its Technology & Shopping segment includes advertising on publishing platforms and commerce sites and publishing of specialized technology-based content and provision of authoritative content relating to products, services, shopping and savings. Its Gaming & Entertainment segment provides authoritative content relating to video games and entertainment Website. Health & Wellness segment includes a collection of interactive tools and mobile applications that are designed to enable consumers to manage a broad array of health and wellness needs on a daily basis. Connectivity segment includes several data and services businesses that sit at the center of the broadband economy and are sources of information on Internet connectivity and network performance. Cybersecurity & Martech segment offers cloud-based Software-as-a-Service offerings for various communication, 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.
Monimus Capital Management Acquires Ziff Davis Shares
- New Investment Disclosure: On May 15, 2026, Monimus Capital Management disclosed a new position by acquiring 241,918 shares of Ziff Davis, valued at approximately $8.90 million, reflecting confidence in the company's future growth potential.
- Value Change of Holdings: According to the SEC filing, the quarter-end value of Ziff Davis holdings reached $10.15 million, indicating a rise in stock price post-acquisition, which suggests market recognition of its digital media and cybersecurity businesses.
- Financial Performance Analysis: Ziff Davis reported a 1.9% year-over-year revenue decline to $267.6 million in the latest quarter, with operating income plummeting nearly 80%, yet gaming and entertainment revenue grew by 7.2%, demonstrating resilience in certain segments.
- Capital Return Strategy: The company spent approximately $51.6 million on share repurchases during the quarter, ending with about $520 million in cash and cash equivalents, indicating a proactive approach to capital management and potential for value release through asset sales in the future.
See More
Ziff Davis Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Financial Performance Overview: Ziff Davis reported Q1 2026 revenues of $267.6 million, reflecting a nearly 2% year-over-year decline, with a significant 13% drop in the Tech & Shopping segment, while other areas showed nearly 3% growth, indicating a divergence in business performance.
- Share Repurchase Strategy: The company repurchased approximately 1.2 million shares in Q1, deploying $51.6 million, signaling a more aggressive capital allocation strategy by management to enhance shareholder value amidst market pressures.
- Advertising Revenue Fluctuations: Advertising and performance marketing revenues fell by 5.1% in Q1, while subscription and licensing revenues saw a slight increase of 1.9%, reflecting the challenges in the market environment and the company's efforts to diversify its revenue streams.
- Future Outlook: Management did not provide annual guidance for fiscal 2026 but expects Q2 revenues to decline slightly more than in Q1, emphasizing the importance of protecting margins post-Connectivity sale and aiming for year-over-year revenue growth in the second half of 2026.
See More
Ziff Davis Q1 Earnings Misses EPS but Beats Revenue Expectations
- Earnings Performance: Ziff Davis reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.73, missing expectations by $0.04, indicating pressure on profitability that could affect investor confidence.
- Revenue Results: The company achieved revenue of $267.6 million in Q1, a 1.9% year-over-year decline, yet it exceeded market expectations by $3.29 million, demonstrating some resilience in revenue stability.
- Strategic Evaluation: Ziff Davis is engaging outside advisors to assess value-creating opportunities, including the recently announced sale of its Connectivity business to Accenture, reflecting the company's efforts to optimize asset allocation for long-term value enhancement.
- Guidance Delay: The ongoing strategic evaluation has led the company to defer its fiscal 2026 guidance, which may increase uncertainty regarding future performance for investors.
See More
ZIFF DAVIS Q1 ADJUSTED NET INCOME REACHES USD 27.5 MILLION, BELOW IBES ESTIMATE OF USD 32.2 MILLION
- Adjusted Net Income: Z F F D A V I S reported an adjusted net income of USD 27.5 million for Q1.
- Comparison with Estimates: This figure is significantly lower than the I B E S estimate of USD 32.2 million.
See More
Ziff Davis to Release Q1 2026 Earnings and Host Call
- Earnings Release Schedule: Ziff Davis is set to release its Q1 2026 earnings on May 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET, which is expected to provide critical financial data to help investors assess the company's performance.
- Conference Call Timing: The earnings call will take place on May 8, 2026, at 8:30 AM ET, hosted by CEO Vivek Shah and CFO Bret Richter, where they will likely interpret the earnings report and address investor questions.
- Financial Disclosure: Materials presented during the call will be posted on the company's website and filed as an 8-K with the SEC, ensuring transparency and compliance, which is crucial for bolstering investor confidence.
- Business Restructuring Impact: Ziff Davis has announced the classification of its Connectivity division's financial results as discontinued operations, reflecting a strategic shift aimed at focusing on core operations and enhancing overall profitability.
See More
Investment Value Analysis of Profitable Companies
- Ziff Davis Performance Decline: Ziff Davis (NASDAQ:ZD) has seen flat sales over the past five years, with a 4.1% annual decline in earnings per share, indicating weakened profitability, while a 9.3 percentage point drop in free cash flow margin reflects increased investments to maintain market position, limiting future growth potential.
- Toast's Strong Momentum: Toast (NYSE:TOST) has maintained a steady flow of long-term contracts over the past year, with an estimated revenue growth of 20.5% for the next 12 months, indicating that its cloud technology platform for restaurants continues to attract customers and enhance revenue predictability.
- Champion Homes' Significant Growth: Champion Homes (NYSE:SKY) achieved a remarkable 15.4% annual revenue growth over the past two years, indicating an increase in market share, while its annual earnings per share growth of 29.4% exceeded revenue gains, showcasing management's ability in high-return investments.
- Market Performance Comparison: Ziff Davis trades at a forward P/E of 6.2x, while Toast and Champion Homes have forward P/E ratios of 2.1x and 21.9x respectively, highlighting the valuation differences among these companies, which investors should consider carefully.
See More
Monimus Capital Management Acquires Ziff Davis Shares
- New Investment Disclosure: On May 15, 2026, Monimus Capital Management disclosed a new position by acquiring 241,918 shares of Ziff Davis, valued at approximately $8.90 million, reflecting confidence in the company's future growth potential.
- Value Change of Holdings: According to the SEC filing, the quarter-end value of Ziff Davis holdings reached $10.15 million, indicating a rise in stock price post-acquisition, which suggests market recognition of its digital media and cybersecurity businesses.
- Financial Performance Analysis: Ziff Davis reported a 1.9% year-over-year revenue decline to $267.6 million in the latest quarter, with operating income plummeting nearly 80%, yet gaming and entertainment revenue grew by 7.2%, demonstrating resilience in certain segments.
- Capital Return Strategy: The company spent approximately $51.6 million on share repurchases during the quarter, ending with about $520 million in cash and cash equivalents, indicating a proactive approach to capital management and potential for value release through asset sales in the future.
See More
Ziff Davis Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Financial Performance Overview: Ziff Davis reported Q1 2026 revenues of $267.6 million, reflecting a nearly 2% year-over-year decline, with a significant 13% drop in the Tech & Shopping segment, while other areas showed nearly 3% growth, indicating a divergence in business performance.
- Share Repurchase Strategy: The company repurchased approximately 1.2 million shares in Q1, deploying $51.6 million, signaling a more aggressive capital allocation strategy by management to enhance shareholder value amidst market pressures.
- Advertising Revenue Fluctuations: Advertising and performance marketing revenues fell by 5.1% in Q1, while subscription and licensing revenues saw a slight increase of 1.9%, reflecting the challenges in the market environment and the company's efforts to diversify its revenue streams.
- Future Outlook: Management did not provide annual guidance for fiscal 2026 but expects Q2 revenues to decline slightly more than in Q1, emphasizing the importance of protecting margins post-Connectivity sale and aiming for year-over-year revenue growth in the second half of 2026.
See More
Ziff Davis Q1 Earnings Misses EPS but Beats Revenue Expectations
- Earnings Performance: Ziff Davis reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.73, missing expectations by $0.04, indicating pressure on profitability that could affect investor confidence.
- Revenue Results: The company achieved revenue of $267.6 million in Q1, a 1.9% year-over-year decline, yet it exceeded market expectations by $3.29 million, demonstrating some resilience in revenue stability.
- Strategic Evaluation: Ziff Davis is engaging outside advisors to assess value-creating opportunities, including the recently announced sale of its Connectivity business to Accenture, reflecting the company's efforts to optimize asset allocation for long-term value enhancement.
- Guidance Delay: The ongoing strategic evaluation has led the company to defer its fiscal 2026 guidance, which may increase uncertainty regarding future performance for investors.
See More
ZIFF DAVIS Q1 ADJUSTED NET INCOME REACHES USD 27.5 MILLION, BELOW IBES ESTIMATE OF USD 32.2 MILLION
- Adjusted Net Income: Z F F D A V I S reported an adjusted net income of USD 27.5 million for Q1.
- Comparison with Estimates: This figure is significantly lower than the I B E S estimate of USD 32.2 million.
See More
Ziff Davis to Release Q1 2026 Earnings and Host Call
- Earnings Release Schedule: Ziff Davis is set to release its Q1 2026 earnings on May 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET, which is expected to provide critical financial data to help investors assess the company's performance.
- Conference Call Timing: The earnings call will take place on May 8, 2026, at 8:30 AM ET, hosted by CEO Vivek Shah and CFO Bret Richter, where they will likely interpret the earnings report and address investor questions.
- Financial Disclosure: Materials presented during the call will be posted on the company's website and filed as an 8-K with the SEC, ensuring transparency and compliance, which is crucial for bolstering investor confidence.
- Business Restructuring Impact: Ziff Davis has announced the classification of its Connectivity division's financial results as discontinued operations, reflecting a strategic shift aimed at focusing on core operations and enhancing overall profitability.
See More
Investment Value Analysis of Profitable Companies
- Ziff Davis Performance Decline: Ziff Davis (NASDAQ:ZD) has seen flat sales over the past five years, with a 4.1% annual decline in earnings per share, indicating weakened profitability, while a 9.3 percentage point drop in free cash flow margin reflects increased investments to maintain market position, limiting future growth potential.
- Toast's Strong Momentum: Toast (NYSE:TOST) has maintained a steady flow of long-term contracts over the past year, with an estimated revenue growth of 20.5% for the next 12 months, indicating that its cloud technology platform for restaurants continues to attract customers and enhance revenue predictability.
- Champion Homes' Significant Growth: Champion Homes (NYSE:SKY) achieved a remarkable 15.4% annual revenue growth over the past two years, indicating an increase in market share, while its annual earnings per share growth of 29.4% exceeded revenue gains, showcasing management's ability in high-return investments.
- Market Performance Comparison: Ziff Davis trades at a forward P/E of 6.2x, while Toast and Champion Homes have forward P/E ratios of 2.1x and 21.9x respectively, highlighting the valuation differences among these companies, which investors should consider carefully.
See More
